Digitized  by  the  Internet 

Archive 

in  2013 

http://archive.org/details/cricketsfriends01john 


THE 


CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 

BY  THE  CRICKET,  TEAPOT,  AND  SAUCEPAN 
BY 

COUSIN  VIRGINIA. 


NEW  YORK: 
R.  WORTHINGTON,  770  Broadway. 
1883. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1868,  by 

NICHOLS     AND  KOYES, 

in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


TO 


Phmie  ^lack, 

WITH  ALL  FRESH  YOUNG  HEARTS   AND   LOVING   SOULS   AKIN  TO 
HER'S,  THIS  LITTLE  BOOK  IS  DEDICATED, 


by  Cousin  Virginia. 


My  little  friends,  who  read  the  first  volume  of  the 
"  Kettle  Club  "  last  Christmas,  will  remember  an  allu- 
sion to  the  introduction  of  new  members  this  year. 
Their  history  will  here  be  presented. 


CONTENTS. 


Page 

The  Travelled  Spider  14 

The  Ambitious  Wasp  41 

The  Disappointed  Caterpillar  73 

The  Four  Silver  Peaches  82 

Going  Maying  101 

Grandpapa  Mouse  and  his  Family  116 

The  Enchanted  Baby-house  152 

The  Story  of  an  Umbrella  179 

The  Godmother's  Gifts  194 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


^  J^IIE  Club  were  all  curiosity  for  some  time  to 
see  the  new  members  who  were  to  be  intro- 
duced into  the  select  circle. 

"  I  am  afraid  of  spiders,"  remarked  the  Teapot, 
with  a  lady-like  shiver. 

4 4  If  a  caterpillar  touched  me,  I  should  run  a 
mile,"  exclaimed  the  Saucepan. 

"  None  of  them  can  reach  me,"  laughed  the 
Kettle  with  a  gurgle  of  satisfaction. 

At  last  the  Cricket  marched  the  strangers  in 
one  night,  and  gave  them  places  about  the  hearth. 

"  Allow  me,"  said  he,  flourishing  his  right 
feeler  in  the  air,  "  to  introduce  to  you,  friends, 
some  very  distinguished  additions  to  our  num- 
ber, —  the  travelled  Spider,  the  disappointed  Cat- 
erpillar, and  the  ambitious  Wasp." 


A* 


10 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  How  do  you  all  do  ? "  inquired  the  Kettle 
very  politely,  for  the  Saucepan  and  Teapot 
seemed  rather  stiff  in  their  manners. 

«  Very  well,  thank  you,"  growled  the  Spider. 

"  Quite  so,"  croaked  the  Caterpillar. 

"  In  excellent  spirits,"  echoed  the  Wasp,  fold- 
ing his  gauzy  wings  in  a  satisfied  way. 

"If  it  is  agreeable  to  the  rest,  I  propose  your 
all  joining  the  Club,"  continued  the  Cricket 
briskly. 

"  Certainly,"  assented  the  Kettle  ;  "  the  more 
the  merrier,  you  know." 

"  I  think  we  should  be  extremely  careful  about 
admitting  strangers  to  our  circle,  unless  they  bring 
letters  of  introduction,"  said  the  Teapot  primly. 

As  for  the  Saucepan,  she  contented  herself 
with  looking  sideways  at  the  Caterpillar,  and 
coughing  contemptuously.  This  was  not  very 
pleasant ;  so  the  Cricket  trotted  up  to  the  two  re- 
bellious members,  and  gave  them  a  pretty  sharp 
lecture  upon  the  laws  of  courtesy  and  good 
breeding,  which  served  effectually  to  make  them 
ashamed  of  themselves.  The  visitors  now  be- 
came angry,  and  began  to  talk  together  of  leaving 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


11 


without  delay,  which  naturally  distressed  the 
good-hearted  president,  who  was  so  much  affected 
by  a  desire  to  do  something  pleasant,  that  he 
swung  himself  wildly  upon  the  hook,  and  there- 
by sprinkled  those  below  with  a  stream  of  scald- 
ing water. 

"  Mercy ! "  shrieked  the  Wasp,  dancing  on 
one  foot  in  an  agony. 

"Oh,  my  back  !  "  groaned  the  Caterpillar,  roll- 
ing himself  about  in  a  ball. 

"  What  ails  you,  Settle  ? "  cried  the  poor 
Cricket,  running  about  with  his  eye  almost  put 
out  from  receiving  a  whole  drop  in  it.  "  Do 
keep  your  hot  water  to  yourself." 

The  Spider  alone  was  unhurt;  so  he  merely 
shook  himself,  and  sat  chuckling  at  the  discom- 
fiture of  the  others. 

After  doing  all  this  mischief,  the  Kettle  sub- 
sided, with  many  meek  apologies. 

"  We  can  give  you  references  enough,  if  that 
is  all  you  want,"  said  the  Wasp  snappishly ;  "  but 
we  had  better  leave,  I  think,  comrades,  before  we 
have  another  hot  bath.  My  hind  leg  is  com- 
pletely disabled." 


12 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  Do  not  go,"  urged  the  Cricket.  "  We  should 
enjoy  your  society  so  much,  I  am  sure,  when  we 
become  better  acquainted." 

The  three  visitors  looked  at  each  other  in 
silence  for  a  time ;  then  the  Spider  said,  — 

"  I  have  just  returned  home,  and,  as  it  is  so 
near,  I  do  not  mind  running  in  to  spend  the 
evening  ;  so  I  will  join  the  Club." 

"  I  will  also,"  said  the  Caterpillar  in  a  dismal 
tone  of  voice,  "  only  I  am  not  very  good  company 
for  any  one  now." 

"  Dear  me,"  said  the  Wasp,  airily,  "  I  shall 
not  promise  to  remain  any  longer  than  I  am 
amused." 

The  Teapot  and  Saucepan  became  more  ami- 
able in  their  behavior  as  the  evening  advanced, 
and  the  Cricket  hastened  to  assure  the  new- 
comers that  references,  other  than  their  evident 
respectability  of  appearance,  were  entirely  unne- 
cessary. They  insisted  upon  producing  testimony, 
however. 

The  Caterpillar  took  from  his  throat,  about 
which  it  was  twisted  like  a  cravat,  a  bit  of  green 
rose-leaf,  and  handed  it  to  the  Cricket,  who  read 
aloud,— 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


13 


"  I  can  certify  that  my  esteemed  friend,  the  Cater- 
pillar, will  prove  a  charming  addition  to  any  circle. 

"  Grasshopper,  Jr." 

The  Wasp  then  passed  a  lump  of  wax  to  the 
chairman,  with  these  words  pecked  upon  it :  — 

"  I  cordially  recommend  our  neighbor  Wasp  to  the 
society  of  all  intelligent  people,  as  a  most  refined  and 
agreeable  companion.  A.  Titmouse,  Esq." 

The  Spider  alone  of  the  three  gave  no  letter, 
but  said  coolly, — 

"I  have  seen  plenty  of  the  world,  yet  I  have 
never  troubled  myself  with  such  nonsense  as 
cards." 

"  You  will  not  find  ceremonies  of  the  kind 
necessary  here,"  remarked  the  Cricket,  with  a 
severe  glance  at  the  Teapot.  "  Perhaps  you  will 
tell  us  something  of  your  adventures,  however. 

"  I  do  not  mind  doing  so  at  all,"  returned  the 
Spider,  gathering  up  his  long  legs  into  a  more 
comfortable  position. 


14 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


K  J  WAS  born  in  the  cellar  of  this  very  house, 
and,  for  a  delightful,  spidery  residence,  I  know 
of  no  place  to  equal  the  dark,  dust-stained  window 
ledge  where  I  first  drew  breath.  After  a  long 
period  of  absence,  I  find  my  early  home  has  lost 
none  of  its  charms.  This  is  the  case  with  men 
as  well  as  spiders,  I  am  told.  The  American 
thinks  there  is  no  river  in  the  world  so  grand 
as  the  great  Mississippi ;  the  Frenchman  none 
so  beautiful  as  the  Seine ;  the  Englishman  none 
so  famous  as  the  Thames ;  the  German  as  the 
Rhine;  and  the  Egyptian  as  the  sacred  Nile, — 
because  home  is  represented  by  each. 

"  So,  too,  with  me  the  cellar  window  has  rare 
attractions :  there  one  can  spin  a  dainty  web  to 
snare  the  silly  flies  and  gnats,  when  they  come 
dancing  along,  for  supper.    Never  believe  the  life 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


15 


of  a  spider  is  an  easy  one,  though :  that  is  an 
altogether  false  idea.  We  work  hard  enough, 
although  we  wear  such  good  armor,  and  have 
such  sharp,  strong  claws  ;  for  we  live  by  our  wits, 
and  a  dull,  stupid  spider  has  but  a  poor  chance 
of  it.  First,  one  has  to  be  on  the  watch  for  stray 
morsels  of  food,  to  be  ready  for  a  pounce  ;  then 
one's  net  may  become  torn  in  some  way  so  as  to 
require  mending ;  or  a  wandering  spider  comes 
prowling  along  to  try  and  conquer  a  home  with- 
out the  trouble  of  making  it :  so  between  all  these 
cares  there  is  little  leisure  time  to  spare.  The 
class  to  which  I  belong  does  not  have  the  con- 
stant labor  that  falls  to  the  share  of  some  of 
our  cousins,  who  spin  their  webs  from  trees,  or 
festoon  them  about  verandas  and  other  exposed 
localities,  where  the  wind  often  blows  them  about 
so  roughly,  that  they  are  obliged  to  suspend  bits 
of  wood  and  stone  to  the  corners  to  maintain  an 
equilibrium.  I  have  some  other  relatives,  to 
think  of  whom  alone  is  enough  to  warm  any 
spider's  heart  with  pride. 

"  Foremost  of  these  ranks  the  scorpion  of 
warmer  climates,  where  it  creeps  into  sheltered 


16 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS 


crannies  under  every  stone  or  sandy  bank ;  even 
inhabiting  boots  and  gloves.  When  disturbed, 
out  it  pounces,  with  an  angry  snap  of  the  claws 
and  a  savage  whisk  of  the  tail,  ready  for  some 
mischief,  you  may  be  sure. 

"  Ah,  I  wish  I  was  a  scorpion,  instead  of  a 
mere  ordinary  spider !  But  then  every  one  can- 
not be  great,  after  all. 

"  Well,  even  the  scorpion  is  foolish  sometimes, 
as  I  will  presently  tell  you.  It  lives  in  burrows, 
which  it  digs  in  the  ground,  the  entrance  being 
formed  to  the  exact  size  of  the  insect.  By  the 
shape  of  the  hole  people  discover  the  residence, 
and,  when  they  wish  to  destroy  the  inmate,  they 
pour  some  water  down,  to  see  if  the  scorpion  is 
at  home.  The  scorpion  detests  water ;  and  it  no 
sooner  feels  the  stream  trickling  through  the 
opening,  than  out  it  rushes,  to  see  what  is  the 
matter.  To  drive  a  spade  into  the  hole  and  kill 
the  scorpion  is  then  an  easy  task. 

"There  is  still  another  mode  of  destroying 
these  princes  of  our  race.  A  circle  of  smoul- 
dering ashes  is  made  around  the  burrow,  and  the 
scorpion,  after  running  for  some  minutes  about 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


17 


the  space  inclosed,  and  seeing  no  means  of  escape 
from  the  ring  of  fire,  invariably  bends  its  tail  up 
over  the  back,  and  inserting  the  point  between 
two  segments  of  the  body,  stings  itself  to  death. 

"  I  have  another  powerful  relative,  to  be  found 
in  South  America.  This  is  a  large  hairy  spider, 
two  inches  long  in  body,  and  seven  inches  with 
expanded  legs.  Only  fancy  such  a  size  !  I  should 
be  a  mere  pigmy  in  comparison.  This  spider  is 
so  powerful  that  it  can  kill  small  birds,  by  en- 
tangling them  in  a  strong  web.  Think  of  that !  " 
cried  the  Spider,  hugging  himself  with  satisfac- 
tion. 

"  You  need  not  turn  up  your  broken  nose, 
Madame  Teapot :  we  are  all  murderers ;  still  we 
do  any  amount  of  good,  after  all,  in  destroying 
insects  that  would  otherwise  cause  much  trou- 
ble."" 

"  I  don't  believe  a  word  of  what  you  say," 
interrupted  the  Saucepan.  "  A  spider  kill  a 
bird,  indeed!  Nobody  ever  heard  of  such  a 
thing." 

"  My  dear,"  interposed  the  Teapot  scornfully, 

feeling  very  much  angered  at  the  allusion  to  her 
2 


18 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


nose  made  by  the  ill-bred  stranger,  "  great  trav- 
ellers always  tell  fine  stories." 

"  While  you  stay  at  home,  and,  seeing  nothing, 
doubt  what  we  say,"  retorted  the  Spider  half 
angrily. 

"  Oh,  dear  me!"  exclaimed  the  Cricket  im- 
patiently, "  shall  we  never  have  peace  ?  I  was  so 
much  interested  in  your  recital,  friend,  that  an 
interruption  seems  very  annoying  indeed." 

"  I  am  glad  to  find  you  a  Cricket  of  such  large 
views,"  replied  the  Spider  politely  ;  "  so  I  will 
proceed,  if  it  affords  you  any  pleasure.  My 
mother  had  much  more  experience  of  the  out- 
side world  than  any  of  her  neighbors,  and,  when 
I  was  still  young,  she  talked  with  my  father  one 
night  about  my  future  prospects  in  life.  I  re- 
member that  we  children  were  in  the  nursery  —  a 
silken  tube,  very  soft  and  warm  for  our  tender 
bodies  —  when  I  overheard  her  remarks. 

" 6 1  cannot  consent  that  my  eldest  son  should 
settle  down  here  at  home,  when  there  is  so  much 
to  be  seen  that  will  improve  his  mind, '  she 
said. 

" 1  That  is  foolish,'  returned  my  father  wisely. 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


19 


'  He  will  only  fall  into  all  manner  of  mischief, 
and  he  cannot  make  himself  any  thing  but  a 
house  spider  after  all.' 

"  I  never  slept  a  wink  afterward,  that  night ; 
and  soon  after  I  gained  the  consent  of  my  parents 
to  start  on  my  travels. 

6*  I  had  an  easier  time  than  most  insects  would 
enjoy,  in  leaving  the  shelter  of  their  homes. 
"When  I  was  in  danger  I  could  generally  trust 
that  my  long  legs  would  carry  me  out  of  harm's 
way ;  and,  if  I  was  not  able  to  escape,  I  just  hid 
under  a  stone,  or  rolled  myself  up  into  a  snug 
ball  among  the  loose  soil. 

"  I  cannot  begin  to  tell  you  all  the  curious 
adventures  I  had,  or  the  strange  things  I  heard ; 
for  I  have  been  away  such  a  long  while,  I  have 
forgotten  more  than  half.  Still  I  remember  a  few 
particulars  of  interest. 

"  I  was  trotting  about  one  day  through  a  field 
of  dry  stubble,  when  I  saw  a  pleasant  river  wind- 
ing along  in  the  sunlight,  and  sought  the  bank. 
The  first  object  I  noticed  was  a  Kingfisher,  seated 
motionless  upon  an  overhanging  branch,  and 
peering  eagerly  down  into  the  water  in  search 


20 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


of  food.  A  very  handsome  bird  is  the  Kingfisher, 
I  assure  you,  with  his  blue  coat  of  shining  feath- 
ers, and  scarlet  shirt  front ;  but  so  still  is  he 
when  watching  for  prey,  you  would  not  notice 
him,  sometimes,  among  the  bushes. 

"  '  How  are  you  to-day,  sir  ? '  I  cried,  while 
still  at  a  distance  .  6  Are  the  fish  lively,  may  I 
inquire  ? ' 

"  '  Keep  quiet,  will  you  ? '  said  the  Kingfisher, 
turning  his  head  impatiently  towards  me. 

"  '  There,  I  have  lost  a  splendid  chance  through 
your  speaking,'  he  added  angrily,  as  a  fish  darted 
past. 

" c  I  am  very  sorry  to  have  disturbed  you,'  I 
replied,  crawling  out  upon  a  twig,  the  better  to 
observe  his  proceedings. 

"  ' 1  have  carried  every  thing  home  to  my  fam- 
ily, and  I  am  now  as  empty  as  a  drum,'  said  the 
Kingfisher  in  an  aggrieved  tone,  and  then  he  re- 
sumed his  watch. 

"  Suddenly  down  he  dropped  into  the  water, 
with  a  rush  that  fairly  took  my  breath  away,  and, 
after  splashing  about  furiously  for  a  few  seconds, 
returned  to  land,  having  a  small  fish  in  his  beak. 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


21 


"  4  Ha,  ha ! '  laughed  the  Kingfisher, 6  I've  got 
you  at  last.  Yes,  and  there  is  plenty  of  room 
left  for  some  of  your  plump  brothers  and  sisters 
besides.' 

"  So  saying,  he  tossed  the  poor  fish  up  in  the 
air;  then,  opening  wide  his  beak,  caught  and 
swallowed  it  with  great  apparent  relish.  I  was 
very  much  amused  by  all  this ;  so  I  said,  as  he 
settled  upon  the  perch  once  more,  — 

" '  Well,  well,  we  spiders  are  considered  ter- 
rible butchers  by  most  people,  but  we  are  rather 
more  dainty  than  to  gulp  down  our  meals  in  that 
fashion.  I  hope  you  may  not  suffer  from  an 
indigestion,  Mr.  Kingfisher.' 

"  '  Do  not  worry  over  that,'  returned  he,  cock- 
ing his  bright  eye  at  me.  Then  he  flew  away, 
and  I  scrambled  after  him  as  fast  as  I  could, 
for  I  was  curious  to  see  how  Madame  Kingfisher 
and  the  babies  fared. 

"  I  followed  the  flight  of  the  bird  until  he 
disappeared  on  the  ground  somewhere,  and  I 
arrived  just  in  time  to  see  him  pop  into  a  hole 
on  the  water  side  of  the  bank.  I  crept  into  the 
tunnel,  which  was  originally  made  by  a  tiny 


22 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


animal,  the  water-shrew,  and  which  had  been 
enlarged  by  the  Kingfisher  to  suit  the  size  of  the 
nest.  This  nest,  my  dear  friends,  I  found  to  be 
composed  of  dried  fish-bones,  —  mostly  those  of 
minnows,  —  and  arranged  in  a  nearly  flat  form, 
save  a  slight  hollow  pressed  by  the  bird's  shape 
while  laying  eggs." 

"  Oh,  oh  !  "  spurted  the  incredulous  Saucepan, 
"  that  is  a  worse  fib  than  the  account  of  the  bird 
spider." 

"  Yery  wonderful,  indeed,"  bubbled  the  Kettle, 
who  had  not  ventured  to  speak  since  he  scalded 
the  company. 

"  I  could  tell  you  stranger  things  than  that," 
said  the  Wasp,  hopping  out  upon  the  hearth 
nimbly  as  the  Kettle  swung. 

"  One  at  a  time,  if  you  please,"  interposed  the 
Cricket,  restoring  order. 

"  You  would  not  doubt  the  truth  of  what  I 
say,"  continued  the  Spider,  shrugging  his  should- 
ers, and  making  a  comical  grimace,  "  if  you  once 
sniffed  the  horribly  fishy  odor  of  the  Kingfisher's 
burrow.  Bah!  I  can  smell  it  yet.  I  hid  in  a 
dark  corner,  watching  them  as  long  as  I  dared  ; 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


23 


for  I  feared  I  should  be  crushed  when  the  bird 
came  out  again,  the  entrance  was  so  small. 

" 6  How  do  you  find  yourself,  my  love  ? '  in- 
quired the  father  Kingfisher  politely. 

"  4  It  is  rather  dull,  you  know,'  replied  the 
mother  Kingfisher.  '  Hush,  nestlings,  you  cannot 
eat  another  morsel ;  so  be  quiet.' 

"  They  chippered  together  for  a  while  ;  then 
I  ran  out  just  in  time,  for  the  other  followed 
quickly. 

"  '  What  are  you  doing  in  my  house  ? '  he 
asked  angrily. 

"  *  I  wanted  to  see  how  pretty  it  might  be,'  1 
answered  saucily. 

"  Upon  this  the  Kingfisher  pounced  at  me  ;  but 
I  dodged  this  way  and  that,  and  a  fine  race  we  had 
of  it.  Finally,  I  saw  a  lady  and  gentleman  walk- 
ing along  together ;  so  I  climbed  upon  her  trailing 
dress,  while  the  bird  grew  shy,  and  flew  away. . 
I  strolled  about  upon  the  lady's  dress  for  a  while, ' 
until  she  saw  me,  and  gave  a  shriek  of  alarm. 
This  was  even  better  fun  than  the  race  with  the 
Kingfisher.  I  cantered  up  and  down,  the  gentle- 
man trying  in  vain  to  catch  me  ;  I  pretended  to 


24 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


run  off  upon  the  grass  ;  then  I  stole  back,  and  hid 
inside  one  of  her  curls.  Here  I  remained  all  the 
evening,  peering  out  now  and  then,  when  she 
returned  to  the  house,  to  watch  the  gay  lights 
and  people.  When  she  retired  to  her  room,  she 
combed  me  out  of  my  hiding-place  ;  but  I  did  not 
care,  so  I  walked  out  the  window  as  if  nothing 
had  happened.  The  stars  were  shining  brightly, 
and,  as  the  night  was  so  warm,  I  thought  I  would 
walk  on  a  bit  farther  before  finding  a  night's 
lodging.  Like  all  good  travellers,  I  had  learned 
not  to  care  much  where  I  slept. 

"  The  bats  were  swooping  about  on  the  watch 
for  mosquitos  and  other  insects ;  the  owls  hooted 
from  the  tree -tops,  and  the  bull -frogs  croaked 
duets  across  the  marshes  with  each  other ;  while 
beautiful  moths  fluttered  on  the  still  air,  to  enjoy 
themselves  after  sleeping  all  day. 

"  Seated  before  the  door  of  his  house  was  a 
relative  of  yours  [addressing  the  Chairman] ,  the 
Field-cricket,  chirping  briskly.  I  knew  he  was 
a  fierce,  combative  sort  of  fellow ;  still  I  tried  to 
be  very  polite,  as  I  wanted  to  get  a  peep  into  his 
mansion. 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


25 


"  <  I  am  glad  to  meet  so  clever  a  house-builder, 
as  yourself,'  I  said,  with  a  low  bow. 

"  '  As  to  that,'  returned  he  modestly,  '  I  am 
nothing  to  the  Mole-cricket.' 

"  6  If  I  could  only  have  a  glimpse  of  your  resi- 
dence,' I  sighed. 

"  The  Cricket  grew  affable,  and  offered  to  make 
a  call  with  me  upon  the  Mole-cricket.  Accord- 
ingly we  started  together  ;  and  it  was  fortunate  I 
had  a  guide,  for  otherwise  I  never  should  have 
discovered  the  abode  of  this  curious  insect.  It 
is  very  quarrelsome  with  its  own  kind,  as  perhaps 
you  are  aware  ;  and  it  passes  nearly  the  whole  of 
its  life  underground,  in  the  many  winding  gal- 
leries and  passages,  excavated  by  means  of  the 
spade-like  limbs. 

"  '  I  hope  we  may  find  him  in  a  good  humor,' 
remarked  the  Field-cricket.    '  Hulloa  !  ' 

"  He  called  several  times ;  then,  receiving  no 
answer,  pushed  a  blade  of  grass  into  the  opening, 
when  out  dashed  the  Mole-cricket,  furious  at  the 
intrusion. 

"  '  What  do  you  want  ? '  he  asked,  snapping  his 
strong  claws  at  us  in  a  very  unpleasant  manner. 


26 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  '  The  Field-cricket  was  so  kind  as  to  bring 
me  here,  hoping  that  you  would  allow  me  to  see 
something  of  your  house/  I  said  boldly. 

"  ' 1  have  just  got  it  into  a  splendid  state  of 
order,  so  I  do  not  mind.' 

"  '  Wait,'  exclaimed  the  Field-cricket,  as  we 
were  about  to  enter,  '  you  must  promise  not  to 
eat  us  up  after  we  get  in.' 

"  <  I  promise,'  laughed  the  other ;  < 1  have  al- 
ready had  my  supper,  so  I  am  not  hungry.' 

"  For  my  own  part  I  did  not  fear  being  de- 
voured, as  I  knew  I  was  too  prickly  and  tough  a 
morsel  to  tempt  any  appetite.  The  Field-cricket, 
however,  might  with  reason  entertain  apprehen- 
sions, for  he  was  as  sleek  and  plump  as  I  was 
lean  and  bristly.  He  took  the  precaution  of 
putting  me  between  himself  and  our  guide,  so 
that  he  could  keep  on  guard  should  the  Mole- 
cricket  forget  his  promise.  Well,  the  latter 
behaved  very  well  instead ;  so  I  have  really  no 
complaint  to  make.  He  led  us  through  such  a 
aumber  of  dark  passages,  that  I  was  fairly  bewil- 
lered  with  the  size  and  variety  of  the  smooth- 
called  tunnels. 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


27 


" '  Why  do  you  have  so  many  ? '  I  inquired, 
when  we  paused,  quite  out  of  breath,  in  a  kind 
of  central  chamber. 

"  '  Oh ! '  he  replied,  4  one  must  have  a  large 
house  to  run  about  in ;  and  after  all  it  is  not  so 
much  work  to  make  it.  Besides,  I  can  hide  se- 
curely here,  in  ever  so  many  different  places,  if 
necessary.  This  is  the  nursery,'  he  added,  paus- 
ing before  a  really  large  cavity,  which  was  much 
nearer  the  surface  of  the  ground  than  the  rest 
of  his  habitation.  It  was  a  fine  apartment,  nicely 
prepared  for  the  reception  of  some  two  or  three 
hundred  yellow  eggs. 

"  4 1  build  this  so  much  nearer  the  surface,'  ex- 
plained the  Mole-cricket, '  so  that  the  eggs  may 
have  the  benefit  of  the  sun's  warmth,  although  I 
dislike  it  so  much  myself,  that  I  always  burrow 
deep  in  the  earth  while  the  daylight  lasts.' 

"All  this  time  I  observed  the  Field-cricket 
grew  more  ill  at  ease,  —  now  giving  an  anxious 
croak,  then  skipping  back  a  pace,  if  the  Mole- 
cricket  only  looked  at  him.  He  had  some  cause, 
sure  enough.  When  we  arrived  at  the  entrance 
once  mo:e,  I  saluted  our  host  courteously,  thank- 


28 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


ing  liim  for  the  pleasure  he  had  given  us.  The 
Mole-cricket,  instead  of  replying  politely,  made  a 
sudden  rush  at  his  cousin,  with  his  large  jaws 
wide  open.  I  stepped  between  them  just  in  time 
to  save  the  Field-cricket,  who  ran  away  as  fast 
as  ever  he  could  ;  and  that  is  the  last  I  ever  saw 
of  him. 

"  <  You  had  better  go  home  again,'  I  said  to  the 
disappointed  Mole-cricket.  6  All  I  regret  is  that 
I  should  have  seen  you  do  such  a  thing,  for  I  did 
not  suppose  you  were  so  much  of  a  barbarian. ' 

"  '  Ho,  ho  ! '  he  growled,  in  a  sulky  tone.  '  I 
would  eat  you  up  for  your  impudence,  were  you 
not  so  tough-looking.' 

" '  I  am  afraid  you  would  have  a  nightmare 
afterward,'  I  rejoined ;  and  then  we  parted,  never 
to  meet  again. 

"  My  attention  was  next  attracted  to  a  globe, 
about  the  size  of  a  cricket-ball,  suspended  from 
the  head  of  a  thistle  by  several  stout  grass  stems. 
It  was  woven  together  firmly,  and  presented  no 
opening  that  I  could  perceive  ;  yet  the  walls  were 
so  delicately  thin,  that  the  forms  of  some  tiny 
animals,  packed  snugly  together  in  this  secure, 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


29 


though  air j  nest,  were  to  be  seen.  Presently  I 
beheld  a  pretty  little  creature,  clothed  in  thick, 
soft  fur,  marked  with  white,  nimbly  climbing  the 
stem  of  a,  plant,  to  pounce  upon  an  unsuspicious 
fly,  which  it  did  as  swiftly  and  accurately  as  a 
swallow. 

" '  What  do  you  want  here  ? '  said  the  Har- 
vest-mouse suspiciously. 

I  am  only  seeking  a  night's  lodging ;  so  I 
will  creep  into  this  harebell,  I  think.' 

"  I  slept  soundly  ;  the  wind  rocked  my  cradle 
delightfully.  The  next  morning  my  curiosity 
was  gratified,  when  I  peeped  out,  by  seeing  the 
Harvest-mouse  pay  a  visit  to  the  baby  mice.  Her 
own  body  was  so  slender,  that  she  could  easily 
crawl  through  any  space  in  the  nest :  which  she 
did ;  and,  when  she  came  out  again,  the  opening 
was  carefully  covered  by  the  meshes  of  fine  grass 
blades,  so  that  the  ball  was  apparently  entire  as 
before. 

" '  Ah,  ha !  my  lady,'  I  cried,  jumping  down 
beside  her.    '  That  is  the  way  you  do  it,  eh  ? ' 

"  The  mother-mouse  gave  a  little  shriek  of  ter- 
ror ;  but  then,  seeing  it  was  only  a  Spider  that 
spoke,  she  laughed  good-naturedly. 


SO  THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 

" 6 1  am  not  afraid  of  harm  from  you,'  she  said 
4  but  there  are  so  many  horrible  creatures  about, 
ready  to  destroy  us,  that  my  nerves  are  often 
tsadly  shaken.' 

" *  Pooh  !  you  must  not  be  so  timid,'  I  urged. 
'  Now,  for  my  part,  I  have  travelled  a  long  dis- 
tance ;  yet  I  have  found  no  peril  that  I  could  not 
easily  escape  from.' 

" '  Never  mind,'  returned  the  Harvest-mouse, 
shaking  her  head.  4  You  will  be  frightened  yet, 
depend  upon  it. ' 

"  I  soon  found,  to  my  sorrow,  that  I  was  to  be 
not  only  frightened,  but  in  serious  danger.  I  was 
nearly  killed  the  next  moment  by  the  ant-lion." 

"  What  is  an  ant-lion  ?  "  inquired  the  Teapot. 

"  Ah  !  I  know,"  sighed  the  Wasp. 

"  And  I  also,"  echoed  the  Cricket. 

"  But  what  is  it  ?  "  chimed  in  the  eager  Sauce- 
pan, by  this  time  quite  interested  in  the  Spider's 
narrative. 

"  I  will  tell  you,"  pursued  the  Spider.  "  The 
ant-lion  is  a  beautiful  kind  of  insect,  resembling 
the  dragon-fly  in  its  larval  or  imperfect  state. 
It  feeds  chiefly  upon  active  insects ;  and,  as  it  is 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


31 


too  slow  of  motion  to  catch  them  otherwise,  it 
resorts  to  a  very  clever  expedient,  —  it  makes  all 
food  come  within  reach  ;  thus  saving  a  world  of 
trouble.  The  head  is  furnished  with  a  pair  of 
long,  curved  mandibles,  which  gives  to  the  inner 
jaws  a  free  play.  The  grub  makes  a  pitfall  to 
entrap  any  passing  prey,  by  tracing  a  shallow 
trench,  the  circle  varying  from  one  to  two  inches 
in  diameter.  It  then  makes  another  round,  start- 
ing just  within  the  first  circle  ;  and  so  it  proceeds, 
continually  scooping  up  the  sand  with  its  head, 
and  jerking  it  outside  the  trench.  By  continuing 
this  process,  always  tracing  smaller  and  smaller 
circles,  the  ant-lion  at  last  completes  a  conical 
pit,  buries  itself  in  the  sand,  and  waits. 

"  Like  many  another  inquisitive  ant,  beetle, 
or  spider,  I  went  along  to  the  edge  of  the  pit,  and 
peeped  in  to  see  what  it  might  contain,  when  to 
my  horror  the  sand  gave  way,  and  I  slid  down, 
down,  almost  into  the  jaws  opened  wide  to  receive 
me.  I  turned  faint  with  fright  for  a  moment ; 
then  strength  returned,  and  I  scrambled  up  the 
side  again.  This  was  not  easy,  as  may  be  ima- 
gined :  the  sand  loosened  more  and  more  every 


32 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


step  I  took,  and,  even  faster  than  I  showered  it 
down,  the  ant-lion  flung  it  back,  endeavoring  to 
keep  the  sides  steep,  and  prevent  my  escape. 

"  I  just  struggled  to  the  brink,  when  who 
should  come  to  my  assistance  but  the  good- 
hearted  Harvest-mouse,  who  had  witnessed  the 
whole  affair  from  her  overhanging  nest.  She 
kindly  extended  her  long  tail  for  my  benefit, 
which  I  eagerly  clutched,  and  so  was  dragged 
out  alive. 

"  Ugh !  I  never  see  a  dragon-fly  floating  along, 
without  thinking  of  that  dreadful  pit  where  the 
ant-lion  lurked  in  waiting  for  victims.  I  felt 
too  much  exhausted  to  move  after  that,  and, 
while  in  so  miserably  helpless  a  state,  a  bird 
snapped  me  up,  to  carry  me  through  the  air  by 
three  legs,  as  food  for  the  young  birds.  They  were 
very  hungry,  —  children  generally  are,  —  but  they 
would  not  give  me  so  much  as  a  peck  of  their 
greedy  bills. 

" c  Why  did  you  not  bring  a  nice,  fat-bodied 
garden-spider,  while  you  were  about  it  ? '  said 
the  robin-mother  reproachfully. 

"  I  was  then  flung  out  of  the  nest,  and  fortu- 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


33 


nately  caught  upon  a  projecting  twig  as  I  fell.  I 
hid  under  a  leaf  to  rest  awhile,  congratulating 
myself  that  I  was  so  rough  and  ugly. 

"  Several  pretty  young  squirrels  were  whisking 
about  the  branches,  while  their  parents  gravely 
watched  their  sports  with  tails  curled  up  over 
their  backs  in  repose  ;  or  joined  in  the  fun,  chas- 
ing to  loftier  perches,  where  it  made  me  giddy  to 
watch  them  swaying  about,  and  leaping  from  tree 
to  tree,  then  returning  to  my  immediate  vicinity 
again. 

" 4  Do  you  live  out  here  ?  '  I  inquired,  going 
towards  them. 

"  6  Yes,'  they  said,  '  this  is  our  summer  house, 
you  know ;  and  very  comfortable  we  find  it  for  the 
heat  of  the  season.' 

"  '  I  wish  you  would  let  me  look  at  it.' 

"  6  Oh !  you  can  do  that,  certainly.  It  is  built 
in  sight  of  all  the  world.  This  is  not  the  case 
with  our  winter  house,  however.' 

"  The  cage  was  made  of  very  slight  materials, 
and  placed  upon  the  extremity  of  a  frail  branch, 
that  swayed  with  every  gust  of  wind.  ' 1  should 
think  you  would  be  shaken  out,'  I  remarked. 

B*  3 


34 


THE  CKIUKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  '  Not  a  bit  of  it,'  returned  the  mother  Squirrel. 
'  We  could  not  be  reached  by  any  animal,  the 
branch  is  so  slender ;  and  I  am  seldom  frightened 
hy  the  cries  of  boys,  —  unless,  indeed,  a  stone 
bhould  rudely  strike  the  cage,  when  I  take  each 
of  my  young  ones  in  my  mouth,  and  deposit 
them  in  a  place  of  safety.' 

" '  Where,  then,  is  your  winter  home  ? '  I  next 
asked. 

" '  Ah !  that  is  a  question,'  replied  the  father 
Squirrel,  rubbing  his  nose  with  one  little  paw,  in 
a  knowing  way. 

" 6 1  do  not  wish  to  make  any  impertinent  in- 
quiries, but  I  should  like  very  much  to  know 
something  more  of  your  interesting  family,'  I 
said  modestly. 

"  Upon  this  the  two  parents  whispered  and 
nodded  together  for  a  time,  then  turned  to  me 
again.  6  If  you  promise  not  to  tell  any  cat  after- 
ward, you  can  see  it,'  they  said. 

"  Of  course  I  consented.  The  winter  cage  was 
seated  in  the  fork  of  a  tree,  where  the  boughs 
concealed  it  from  view,  and  served  to  shelter 
from  the  wind  as  well.    The  nest  was  quite 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


35 


large,  being  composed  of  moss,  leaves,  and 
grass. 

" 4  Come  in  and  see  how  nice  and  warm  it  is,' 
invited  the  hospitable  Squirrels. 

"  '  Do  you  build  a  new  house  every  year  ? ' 

" '  No  :  that  would  be  too  much  trouble ;  so  we 
generally  occupy  one  for  several  seasons.' 

"  Bidding  the  amiable  Squirrel  family  good- 
by,  I  crawled  down  the  tree  to  the  earth  once 
more.  I  began  to  weary  of  this  rough-and- 
tumble  sort  of  life.  In  the  struggle  with  the 
ant-lion  I  had  sprained  my  back,  which  malady 
was  severely  aggravated  by  the  rude  treatment 
of  the  bird  that  carried  me  through  the  air,  only 
to  throw  me  away  when  the  nestlings  declined 
tasting  of  me. 

"I  reached  the  bank  of  the  stream  where  I 
had  first  seen  the  Kingfisher ;  then,  as  the  day 
was  cloudy  and  cool,  I  sat  down  in  a  nut-shell, 
that  served  to  keep  me  warm.  While  I  lazily 
watched  the  fish  dart  through  the  crystal  waters, 
and  the  birds  flutter  overhead,  a  curious  object 
came  floating  towards  me.  What  do  you  sup- 
pose it  was  ?    Why,  nothing  less  than  a  snug  raft 


36 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


of  dried  leaves  and  twigs,  fastened  together  with 
silken  threads,  that  bobbed  along  right  merrily, 
bearing  the  sailor  who  constructed  it  easily  and 
securely.  He  was  really  a  remarkably  handsome 
fellow,  of  a  dark,  chocolate-brown  color,  marked 
with  a  broad,  orange  band,  and  with  pale-red 
legs.  This  was  the  floating  palace  of  the  Raft- 
spider,  who  not  only  pursues  insects  on  shore, 
but  trots  out  upon  the  water  after  them  just  as 
well.  In  doing  this  he  requires  some  resting- 
place,  and  so  builds  the  raft  that  excited  my 
wonder  and  admiration.  When  he  saw  me  sit- 
ting in  the  nut-shell  on  the  shore,  he  laughed 
loudly ;  while  I  was  only  too  glad  to  attract  his 
attention,  for  I  had  a  favor  to  ask. 

"  4  Will  you  take  me  on  board  ?'  I  inquired. 

"  4  Yes  :  run  ahead  to  yonder  large  pebble ; 
then  you  can  jump  on  when  I  pass  by.' 

"Jl  did  so ;  and  when  he  came  alongside  I 
sprang  aboard  of  the  raft,  which  was  amply  large 
enough  to  receive  both  of  us.  I  thought  there 
never  was  better  fun  than  sailing  down  the 
stream  in  this  style.  We  danced  along  smoothly 
on  the  current  when  the  water  was  calm,  or  we 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


37 


..whirled  round  eddies  and  rapids ;  but  we  passed 
through  all  these  dangers  in  safety.  The  Raft- 
spider  conversed  pleasantly.  He  frequently 
dashed  overboard  after  some  unlucky  insect  that 
had  fallen  into  the  water,  moths,  flies,  and 
beetles  ;  or  he  snapped  up  some  tiny  wanderer 
that  rose  to  the  surface  for  air  ;  sometimes  even 
crawling  down  the  stems  of  plants  for  prey  to 
the  depth  of  several  inches.  He  always  returned 
to  the  raft  with  these  spoils,  and  cordially  invited 
me  to  share  them,  which  I  did  with  relish. 

" 6  Eat  away,'  he  urged.  6 1  can  get  plenty 
more  at  any  time,  while  you  look  as  thin  as  a 
starved  grasshopper.' 

"  We  had  already  become  excellent  friends, 
when  we  suddenly  beheld  a  large  boat  steering 
swiftly  towards  us.  The  Raft-spider  is  extremely 
cautious ;  so,  bidding  me  follow,  he  slid  overboard 
to  hide,  as  he  was  in  the  habit  of  doing  when 
any  danger  threatened.  Now  this  was  all  very 
well  for  him,  as  he  could  live  under  water  for 
some  time ;  but  what  was  to  become  of  me  ? 
The  water  bubbled  up  into  my  ears ;  I  opened 
my  jaws  to  scream,  only  to  have  more  gurgle 


38 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


down  my  throat.  I  sputtered  and  gasped  and 
floundered,  until  my  companion  took  compassion 
upon  me,  and  held  my  head  up  until  the  boat 
had  passed,  when  he  dragged  me  on  to  the  raft 
again,  more  dead  than  alive. 

44  4  To  be  sure,'  he  remarked  gayly,  4 1  forgot 
you  were  not  the  same  kind  of  a  Spider  as  myself. 
You  are  only  a  landsman,  after  all.' 

44 4  Do  you  have  to  jump  overboard  in  that 
fashion  often  ? '  I  faintly  asked. 

" 4  Bless  you !  I  have  done  so  every  five  min- 
utes sometimes.' 

44  4 1  should  like  to  land,  then,  if  you  please.' 

44  The  Raft-spider  made  fun  of  my  fears ;  but 
I  was  determined  to  get  away  from  the  water 
as  soon  as  possible,  so  he  put  me  ashore,  and 
went  on  his  way,  still  laughing." 

Here  the  narrator  was  interrupted  by  the 
entrance  of  Hulda,  who  whisked  the  Teapot 
and  Saucepan  off  to  a  high  shelf  across  the 
room.  The  Cricket,  Wasp,  and  Caterpillar  fled 
in  opposite  directions,  but  the  unfortunate  Spider 
was  not  quick  enough  to  escape.  The  thrifty 
housekeeper  espied  him  with  her  keen  eyes, 


THE  TRAVELLED  SPIDER. 


39 


and,  pouncing  upon  him,  caught,  and  threw  him 
out  of  the  window. 

Here  was  an  abrupt  close  to  the  story.  The 
others  could  do  nothing  but  sigh  over  this  mis- 
fortune, and  finally  the  Cricket  said, — 

"  I  propose,  for  one,  that  we  do  not  meet  again 
until  the  family  have  gone  to  bed ;  as,  by  so 
doing,  we  will  not  run  the  risk  of  being  thrown 
out  of  the  window." 

To  this  they  agreed ;  and  then  they  separated, 
the  Wasp  and  Caterpillar  accepting  an  invitation 
to  visit  the  Cricket  in  his  mansion  behind  the 
brick, 

The  next  night,  when  the  household  had  re- 
tired, the  Kettle  Club  resumed  their  places  about 
the  hearth.  The  Teapot  had  been  left  beside 
the  fire,  fortunately ;  but  the  poor  Saucepan,  to 
her  great  vexation,  still  rested  on  the  shelf. 
They  had  hoped  to  hear  something  of  the  fate 
of  the  Spider ;  but,  although  the  Cricket  had 
been  out  of  doors,  prowling  about  that  day,  he 
could  find  no  trace  of  the  missing  member. 

"  Such  an  interesting  Spider  as  he  was,  too," 
commented  the  Kettle. 


40 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  Yes,  indeed,"  assented  the  Teapot  amiably  ; 
"  I  did  not  suppose  one  of  his  race  could  be  so 
agreeable." 

"  There  is  no  use  groaning,  since  it  cannot 
bring  him  back  again,"  said  the  Wasp  sharply. 
"  Who  is  to  speak  to-night  ?  " 

"  We  should  be  delighted  to  hear  you,"  said 
the  crafty  Cricket,  desirous  of  keeping  the  Wasp 
in  a  good  humor. 

"  Perhaps  you  will  not  find  my  history  inter- 
esting, after  that  of  the  Spider,"  said  he  with 
affected  modesty :  he  thought  it  would  be  much 
more  so  all  the  time. 

"  I  am  sure  we  shall,"  cordially  returned  the 
Cricket. 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


41 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


"^J^O  begin  then,"  commenced  the  Wasp,  "I 
must  first  describe  to  you  how  I  was  born. 
Did  any  of  you  ever  see,  very  early  in  the  spring, 
one  of  my  tribe  flying  slowly  about,  pausing  to 
examine  every  earth  bank,  now  exploring  the 
burrow  of  a  field-mouse,  or  perhaps  entering  the 
tunnel  of  a  boring  insect,  all  the  while  buzzing 
in  a  fussy  way  ?  " 

"  I  now  remember  watching  a  Wasp  during 
my  travels,  that  behaved  in  a  very  curious  man- 
ner," said  the  Cricket.  "  It  alighted  upon  a 
wood-pile,  and  gnawed  off  a  quantity  of  fibres, 
which  were  kneaded  together  carefully  into  a  ball ; 
and  then  the  Wasp  flew  away  with  the  ball  to 
a  hole  near  by.  I  did  not  dare  ask  any  ques- 
tions ;  because  I  feared  receiving  a  sting  for  my 
curiosity,  and  I  have  heard  such  a  wound  is  most 
painful." 


42 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  All !  that  is  always  the  way,"  said  the  other 
in  an  aggrieved  tone.  "  We  are  thought  by  man 
to  be  good  for  nothing  but  to  steal  sugar,  or 
other  sweets  ;  and  gnaw  holes  in  fruit,  to  disfigure 
the  ripe  beauty  of  peaches,  plums,  and  apricots. 
We  are  called  lazy  fellows,  going  about  to  give 
any  one  a  sharp  thrust ;  when  in  reality  a  sting 
often  causes  death,  by  tearing  the  poison-bag. 
This  belief  is  partly  true  ;  still  not  altogether,  for 
we  are  also  of  some  good  in  the  world.  We  do 
not  live  solely  upon  the  juices  of  flowers  and 
fruits :  we  are  very  fond  of  the  hosts  of  flies 
that  swarm  about  and  render  themselves  so  annoy- 
ing in  the  summer  season.  For  instance,  if  you 
notice  the  pigs  in  the  farm-yard  any  warm  day, 
you  will  observe  that  the  flies  cluster  thickly  over 
their  skins,  tormenting  the  poor  animals  terribly. 
This  torment  is  greatly  lessened  by  the  wasps, 
who  skim  over  the  fence  every  now  and  then,  and 
capture  a  fly  inevitably  in  their  fatal  grasp." 

"Is  it  possible  !  "  exclaimed  the  Teapot. 

"Yes,  indeed,"  returned  the  Wasp  compla- 
cently. "  But  I  must  tell  you  how  I  was  born. 
The  Wasp  you  saw  on  the  wood-pile  was  selecting 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


43 


a  home,  like  a  careful  matron,  and  was  bundling 
the  fibres  together  to  use  in  the  construction  of 
her  nest.  This  she  was  obliged  to  do  without 
any  help  whatever,  for  all  the  other  wasps  had 
died  the  previous  autumn,  while  she  was  left  to 
sleep  through  the  winter  in  some  warm  nook, 
then  found  a  new  colony  in  the  spring.  Having 
brought  the  fibres  to  her  burrow,  she  runs  up 
the  side  of  the  chamber,  clinging  to  the  roof  with 
the  last  pair  of  legs,  while  with  the  first  pair 
aided  by  the  jaws,  she  fixes  the  woody  pulp  to 
the  roof,  forming  a  little  pillar.  Other  pellets 
are  attached,  until  this  pillar,  like  a  stalactite  in 
a  cave,  is  completed.  At  the  end  of  the  pillar 
she  places  three  very  shallow  cups,  lays  an  egg 
in  each,  and  makes  a  roof  over  them.  More 
cells  are  then  added,  eggs  laid  in  them,  and  the 
roof  extended  over  the  whole.  By  the  time  all 
this  is  done,  the  eggs  laid  in  the  first  three 
cells  are  hatched  into  tiny  grubs,  who  are  terri- 
bly hungry,  requiring  ever  so  many  flies  from 
the  mother  Wasp.  At  last  they  cease  to  feed ; 
spin  a  silken  cover  over  their  cells ;  and,  after 
spending  a  short  time  in  this  retirement,  tear 


44 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


away  the  covering  with  their  jaws,  emerging 
perfect  insects. 

"  They  now  repay  the  mother  Wasp  for  her 
care,  by  assisting  in  all  heavy  labors,  so  that  she 
really  has  little  to  do,  but  lay  eggs  as  fast  as  cells 
can  be  made  for  their  accommodation.  Before 
long  the  first  terrace  is  completely  filled  with 
cells,  and  more  room  is  needed.  The  wasps  next 
construct  several  more  pillars  exactly  like  the 
first  one  ;  and,  by  adding  cells  to  these,  another  ter- 
race is  built  below  the  first  one.  Three  or  four 
more  terraces  continue  to  form,  the  cells  of  these 
last  being  so  small,  tha't  the  mother  Wasp  cannot 
put  her  head  into  them.  The  inmates  of  these 
cradles  are  very  much  smaller  than  their  parent, 
and  are  known  as  the  workers,  their  lives  being 
devoted  to  labor.  These  workers  make  excellent 
nurses,  always  feeding  and  tending  the  baby 
wasps  with  jealous  care.  Towards  the  close  of 
the  summer  their  conduct  changes,  however; 
they  feel  that  a  quick  death  for  those  nurslings 
who  will  not  have  time  to  grow  up  before  cold 
weather  is  best,  so  they  pull  the  helpless  white 
things  out  of  their  beds,  and  carry  them  outside 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


45 


to  die.  I  am  glad  I  was  able  to  grow  to  wasp- 
hood." 

"  Please  raise  your  voice  a  trifle,"  said  the 
Saucepan,  in  a  vexed  tone.  "  I  cannot  hear 
half  that  you  say,  over  there." 

^  You  had  better  use  an  ear  -  trumpet,"  re- 
marked the  Wasp  impertinently.  "  I  am  already 
as  hoarse  as  a  raven  from  shouting  so  loudly." 

"  When  the  nest  is  abandoned  the  workers  die ; 
and  so  do  almost  all  of  the  others,  save  a  few  of 
the  females." 

"  How  is  it  that  you  are  alive,  then  ? "  inter- 
rupted the  Teapot. 

"  One  thing  at  a  time,  if  you  please,"  said  the 
Wasp  pettishly ;  "  I  am  telling  you  as  fast  as  ever 
I  can.  When  I  first  spread  my  wings  to  fly  out 
into  the  warm,  bright  sunshine,  I  was  half-wild 
with  delight  at  my  new  strength  and  beauty. 
The  world  seemed  such  a  wonderful  place  !  The 
air  was  so  fresh,  the  flowers  so  fragrant  and 
varied  in  coloring,  and  the  hills  so  grand  in 
height,  that  I  could  only  flutter  from  place  to 
place,  bewildered  with  happiness.  I  alighted 
finally  upon  a  catalpa-tree,  whose  branches  were 
covered  with  splendid  blossoms." 


46 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  '  You  feel  very  gay,'  rustled  the  tree. 

"  <  Yes,  I  am  only  just  born  ;  so  I  may  well  be 
gay,'  I  answered. 

"  1  Ah  !  dance  while  you  may,'  said  the  Catalpa 
gravely.  '  Your  life  lasts  a  few  hours,  but  mine 
for  years.' 

"  My  fine  spirits  were  chilled  in  a  moment, 
and  I  dropped  to  the  grass,  feeling  utterly  miser- 
able. I  could  only  enjoy  all  this  pleasure  for  a 
few  hours  after  all !  There  was  so  much  to  see, 
and  so  little  time  to  see  it  in,  where  should  I 
turn  first  ?  While  I  sat  there  thinking  after  this 
fashion,  a  pansy  slowly  unfolded,  and  out  of  it 
stepped  a  tiny  figure,  no  longer  than  one  of  my 
legs.  I  was  not  very  wise,  but  I  knew  it  must 
be  a  fairy  or  elf  that  now  stood  before  me.  He 
wore  knee-breeches,  a  jacket  to  match,  and  a 
funny  little  cobweb  cap. 

"  '  So  we  are  sad,  eh  ? '  he  said,  winking  one 
eye  drolly. 

"  '  I  have  such  a  short  time  to  live,  that  I  do 
not  know  which  way  to  turn  first,'  I  replied. 

" '  That  is  a  pity,'  said  the  sprite,  rocking 
himself  upon  a  stem  of  seed-grass,  as  if  it  were 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


47 


a  hobby  horse.  6  What  would  you  do  if  you 
could  live  longer  ? ' 

"'What  would  I  not  do?'  I  exclaimed.  'I 
should  try  to  see  every  thing  beautiful  and 
curious  in  the  whole  world.' 

u  '  Stop  a  bit,'  he  interposed.  '  You  shall  do 
this  if  you  desire  it  so  much.'  He  took  off  his 
cobweb  cap  and  threw  it  at  me,  saying,  6  This 
will  make  you  invisible,  if  you  put  it  on  your 
head,  when  any  danger  threatens.' 

"  Before  I  had  time  to  thank  him  the  elf 
turned  a  somersault  in  the  air,  and  plunged  head 
first  into  his  pansy  mansion,  which  closed  upon 
him." 

Just  at  this  moment  the  Kettle  Club  was 
startled  by  a  sudden  thump,  thump  in  the  room. 

"  What  was  that  ?  "  whispered  the  Teapot ; 
and  all  the  others  listened,  without  daring  to 
look  over  their  shoulders,  for  the  fire  was  rather 
low. 

"It  is  only  I,"  said  the  Saucepan.  "  I  have 
jumped  off  the  shelf  to  hear  better." 

1 '  You  must  have  hurt  yourself,"  said  the 
Kettle. 


48 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  Oh,  no :  I  only  feel  a  trifle  jarred.  I  am 
made  of  tin,  you  know." 

How  were  they  to  move  the  Saucepan  nearer 
to  the  hearth  ? 

"  I  think  I  could  be  rolled  over,  if  any  one 
would  be  so  kind  as  to  push  me,"  she  suggested 
eagerly. 

So  the  Cricket,  Caterpillar,  and  Wasp  trotted 
out,  and  by  pushing  together  succeeded  in  mov- 
ing the  Saucepan  to  the  fireside. 

"  We  can  never  turn  you  over,"  panted  the 
Caterpillar. 

"  I  can  rest  on  my  side,"  said  the  Saucepan 
cheerily. 

"  Your  lid  lies  out  yonder  on  the  floor,"  said 
the  Cricket. 

"  That  is  not  the  least  matter.  It  would  not 
stay  on  my  head  if  I  had  it.  Go  on  with  the 
story,  please  ;  I  am  sorry  to  have  made  so  much 
trouble." 

"  Where  was  I  ?  "  inquired  the  Wasp. 

"  The  pansy  fairy  had  just  disappeared,"  said 
the  Kettle,  who  for  a  wonder  remembered  the 
story. 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


49 


"  To  be  sure,"  resumed  the  Wasp  briskly. 
"  I  skipped  with  delight  at  my  brighter  pros- 
pects, and  started  forward  again  with  renewed 
courage.  I  first  encountered  some  of  my  broth- 
ers and  sisters,  to  whom  I  at  once  communicated 
my  good  fortune.  Strange  to  say  they  none  of 
them  seemed  to  appreciate  my  superior  advan- 
tages. 

" '  For  my  part  I  do-  not  wish  to  live  any 
longer  than  the  sunlight  lasts,'  said  one ;  and  to 
this  sentiment  the  others  agreed. 

" 4  My  ambition  leads  me  further,'  I  answered, 
and  flew  onward,  never  to  see  them  more. 

"  I  passed  over  the  broad  expanse  of  land, 
until  I  saw  the  sea  glittering  like  a  polished 
mirror  in  the  distance.  How  I  should  like  to 
make  a  voyage  !  I  paused  to  rest  upon  a  cliff 
that  rose  steep  and  smooth,  with  the  ocean 
foaming  about  the  base.  There  were  a  great 
number  of  bird-nests  drilled  in  the  surface  of  the 
rock,  and  by  peering  over  the  brink  I  could  see 
the  young  birds,  that  were  the  funniest  little 
balls  of  white  down  imaginable.  Suddenly  a 
o  4 


50 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


parent  bird  came  swooping  home,  and  hopped 
into  the  yery  nest  that  I  was  examining. 

"  '  Don't  tumble  me  into  the  water,'  I  cried, 
clutching  at  the  slippery  stone,  for  the  rapid 
flutter  of  the  bird's  wings  made  me  giddy. 

"  *  I  will  not  hurt  you,'  said  the  other.  4 1 
have  been  a  long  way  to-day,  and  I  have  really 
gained  little  to  eat  for  my  trouble.  I  followed  a 
great  ship  for  hours,  and  only  caught  up  a  few 
crumbs,  after  all.' 

«  <  Why,  I  do  believe  you  are  one  of  Mother 
Carey's  chickens,'  I  exclaimed. 

"  '  My  proper  name  is  the  Stormy  Petrel ;  still 
the  sailors  call  me  Mother  Carey's  chicken.  I 
do  not  know  why,  but  then  sailors  have  queer 
ideas.  Bless  you,  I  can  frighten  them  terribly 
by  just  skimming  round  and  round  on  the  wind  : 
they  then  reef  all  sails,  thinking  I  am  about  to 
bring  a  storm  by  my  presence.  Ha,  ha  ! '  laughed 
the  bird  merrily,  '  only  think  of  little  me  being 
dreaded  by  great,  strong  men.  I  can  generally 
tell  when  a  storm  is  coming,  —  they  are  right 
in  supposing  that  much,  —  and  oh  !  how  I  enjoy 
it !    Why,  friend  Wasp,  you  have  no  idea  what 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


51 


life  really  is,  just  fluttering  about  among  the 
flowers  and  trees  :  I  should  gasp  for  breath 
where  every  thing  is  only  still  sunshine.  What  I 
call  life  is  to  see  the  clouds  piled  in  dark  masses 
overhead,  the  waves  rearing  mountains  high, 
and  to  have  the  wind  blow  a  hurricane.' 

"  4  I  should  imagine  such  exposure  would  beat 
the  life  out  of  you,'  I  remarked. 

" 4  Not  at  all,'  replied  the  Petrel.  4 1  like  to 
be  tossed  about,  and  spread  my  wings  on  the 
gale,  although  it  may  nearly  take  my  breath 
away.' 

" 4 1  never  dreamed  of  such  a  life,'  I  said ; 
4  please  tell  me  more  about  yourself.' 

" 4  First  I  must  feed  my  young  one,  as  I  have 
been  away  all  day.  We  never  lay  but  one  egg, 
fortunately,  for  we  have  to  feed  them  ourselves. 
We  secrete  a  kind  of  oil  in  the  digestive  organs 
for  them.  Indeed,  we  are  such  oily  birds,  that 
in  some  parts  of  the  world  the  natives  thrust  a 
stick  through  our  bodies,  and  use  us  for  lamps.' 

44  4  You  are  gone  so  long,'  piped  the  nursling. 

44  4  That  is  to  find  something  to  eat,  my  dear.' 

44  4  The  time  is  so  long,  doing  nothing  but  sit 


52 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


alone,  staring  out  at  the  sea,'  clamored  the  nurs- 
ling. 

a  i  yery  true,'  assented  the  mother  Petrel  qui- 
etly ;  6  but  there  is  no  help  for  it,  except  to  grow 
strong  and  fly  for  yourself.' 

"  Upon  this  the  young  one  began  to  strut  and 
tumble  about  the  nest,  to  the  great  delight  of  the 
parent,  who  encouraged  such  exertions.  We  be- 
came excellent  friends,  and  talked  over  my  plans 
of  travel. 

"  *  I  dare  not  venture  upon  the  ocean ;  because, 
if  I  grew  tired  of  flying,  I  must  fall  into  the 
waves  and  be  drownefi.' 

"  '  You  would  soon  be  fatigued.  Supposing  I 
carried  you  ? '  said  the  Petrel. 

"  Here  was  a  splendid  idea.  If  I  could  only 
be  taken  to  other  lands,  what  pleasures  would  be 
in  store  fbr  me.  The  Petrel  promised  to  bear  me 
over  the  seas,  if  I  would  wait  until  the  nestling 
was  able  to  take  care  of  itself.  I  lived  inland 
while  I  waited,  and  visited  the  birds  every  day 
in  their  rocky  home.  When  the  time  approached 
for  our  departure,  the  mother  bird  proposed  I 
should  take  a  sail,  just  to  accustom  myself  to 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


53 


the  voyage  by  way  of  trial.  I  climbed  upon  her 
back,  and  she  made  a  dart  straight  out  into  the 
air,  that  drove  every  particle  of  bravery  out  of 
my  body. 

44  4  Now,  then,'  said  Mother  Carey's  chicken, 
4  hold  on  tight,  and  I  will  show  you  some  better 
fun  still.' 

44 1  begged  her  to  return  to  land ;  but  the 
wind  blew  so  strongly,  that  she  did  not  hear 
my  faint  voice.  She  whirled  in  circles,  pattered 
upon  the  water  surface  unconcernedly,  and  rose 
in  the  air  with  the  rapidity  of  the  arrow  shot 
from  a  bow.  I  closed  my  eyes,  and  clung  about 
the  bird's  neck,  fearing  every  moment  a  fall 
into  the  great  green  billows  that  rolled  away  into 
space,  as  far  as  sight  could  reach.  When  we 
landed  once  more,  I  fainted  away.  The  Petrel 
was  dancing  on  one  leg,  and  laughed  at  me, 
when  I  opened  my  eyes  again. 

44  4  1  have  a  great  mind  to  give  up  the  journey 
I  said  in  a  pet.    4 1  can  never  cling  to  you  in 
this  way.    If  I  had  been  content  to  lead  the  life 
of  an  ordinary  wasp,  I  might  have  escaped  all 
this  trouble  and  vexation.' 


54 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


" '  It  is  never  well  to  quarrel  with  destiny,' 
remarked  my  companion.  '  Still,  I  would  not 
give  up  because  of  a  first  sea-sickness.' 

"  Presently  I  regained  my  courage  somewhat, 
and  we  began  to  ponder  how  I  could  be  fastened 
on.  I  flew  to  land,  and  procured  several  long 
horse-hairs.  These  I  wound  about  the  bird's 
slender  throat,  and  strapped  myself  tightly  to 
her  body.  What  a  journey  we  made  of  it !  The 
faithful  Petrel  must  have  carried  me  an  immense 
distance.  Sometimes  she  perched  on  the  rigging 
of  a  ship,  sometimes  we  rode  on  the  waves,  or 
we  paused  for  the  night  at  some  rocky  isle  ;  yet 
Mother  Carey's  chicken  never  seemed  to  weary 
of  the  scenery  about  us." 

"  What  did  you  have  to  eat  ? "  inquired  the 
Caterpillar,  who,  like  all  caterpillars,  had  a  fa- 
mous appetite  of  his  own. 

"  Very  little,  indeed,"  said  the  Wasp.  "  A 
stray  insect  now  and  then,  but  never  a  sip  of 
honey  the  whole  way.  I  took  the  precaution, 
before  starting,  of  fastening  a  blade  of  grass 
about  my  waist ;  in  the  same  way  that  Indians 
gird  themselves  before  making  a  journey,  to 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


55 


prevent  any  feeling  of  hunger.  At  last  land  was 
seen  in  the  distance,  and  I  again  stood  on  firm, 
dry  ground. 

" '  Good-by,'  said  Mother  Carey's  chicken, 
spreading  her  wings  as  though  ready  for  a  fresh 
journey.  '  I  wish  you  good  luck.  Should  you 
ever  desire  to  go  back  north,  any  of  us  will  give 
you  a  passage.' 

"  So  saying  the  pretty,  good-natured  Petrel 
flew  away,  leaving  me  alone.  I  did  not  feel 
very  happy  just  then :  I  almost  wished  myself 
still  a  baby  wasp  in  my  wax  cradle  again,  with 
nothing  to  do  but  eat  and  sleep.  I  was  afraid 
at  finding  myself  so  far  from  home  ;  and  besides 
that  I  was  very,  very  hungry:  there  is  nothing 
like  a  sea-voyage  to  give  one  an  appetite.  Be- 
yond the  barren  sand  beach  there  rose  a  stately 
forest,  which  I  determined  to  visit ;  but  just  then 
my  attention  was  attracted  by  a  beautiful  object 
in  the  water.  It  was  a  flower  of  the  most  ex- 
quisite coloring,  with  a  rich  purplish-crimson 
outer  edge  and  a  disk  of  the  same  hue,  the 
stout,  short  tentacles  of  which  were  marked 
with  pellucid  rings  of  white  and  lilac.  Floating 


56 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


just  beneath  a  crystal  film  of  sea,  it  expanded 
temptingly  under  my  wistful  gaze.  What  a 
wonderful  place,  I  thought,  where  delicious 
flowers  were  borne  to  hungry  travellers !  I 
fluttered  nearer,  longing  for  a  sip  of  honey ;  and 
in  another  moment  should  have  been  lost,  had 
not  a  little  fish  come  along,  to  be  stung  and  de- 
voured by  the  anemone  before  I  fell  into  its 
clutches.  I  afterwards  learned  that  many  a  bee 
or  wasp  was  enticed  to  death,  as  I  had  so  nearly 
been  ;  for  the  beautiful  flower  was  only  a  greedy 
zoophyte,  after  all,  swallowing  every  thing  that 
came  in  its  way. 

"  Trembling  at  my  narrow  escape,  I  next  flew 
towards  the  forest,  taking  the  precaution  of  as- 
suming my  magic  night-cap  in  starting,  for  I  did 
not  know  what  dangers  might  be  in  store.  Ar- 
riving within  the  boundary  of  the  forest,  I 
alighted  upon  a  blade  of  grass  to  rest.  The  air 
was  delightfully  fresh  and  pure,  while  the  sun 
already  slanted,  in  tropical  splendor,  towards  the 
western  horizon.  Palm  trees  extended  about 
me  in  every  direction ;  the  fan-leaved  miriti 
towered  to  an  immense  height ;  the  graceful 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


57 


assai  showed  its  feathery  masses  against  the 
rounder  foliage  ;  and  the  jupati  threw  its  shaggy 
fronds  into  broad  arches,  while  from  the  branch- 
es swept  ribbons  of  clinging  plants,  hanging  air 
roots  as  ladders  to  climb  by.  Here  and  there 
a  long  crimson  blossom  on  spikes,  or  yellow  and 
violet  trumpet-flowers,  relieved  the  sombre  green 
by  their  brighter  hues. 

"  Presently  I  saw  a  slender,  pale-green  snake, 
that  was  twined  about  a  tree  like  a  vine,  with 
only  the  bright  eyes  sparkling  and  fixed  upon 
an  unsuspicious,  plump  tree-frog. 

" 4  Good  evening,  friend/  I  buzzed  in  the 
snake's  ear.    6  How  pretty  your  coat  is ! ' 

"  <  Who  speaks  ? '  exclaimed  the  snake,  look- 
ing complacently  upon  his  beautiful,  frosted  ar- 
mor. 

"  <  Never  mind,'  was  my  wicked  response^ 
'  By  your  vanity  you  have  lost  your  supper.' 

"  The  snake's  eyes  flashed  angrily.  Sure 
enough,  the  tree-frog  had  taken  alarm,  and  was 
hobbling  away  out  of  reach. 

"  I  continued  my  way  until  I  reached  the 
brink  of  a  broad,  placid  pool,  where  I  hoped  to 
c* 


58 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


make  the  acquaintance  of  some  of  the  many 
creatures  I  saw  congregated  about  the  margin. 
Dark-striped  herons,  snowy  egrets,  and  storks 
stood  gravely  at  the  brink,  or  strode  over  the 
water-plants  on  their  long  legs.  Flocks  of 
whistling  ducks  flew  above  my  head,  macaws 
chattered  in  the  trees,  and  a  pretty  canary 
chirped  in  the  bushes.  Upon  the  surface  of  the 
water  floated  the  magnificent  Victoria  water-lily, 
the  broad  leaves  extending  for  six  or  ten  feet, 
and  the  flowers  just  closing  their  alabaster  cups 
in  sleep.  I  now  removed  my  cap ;  but  I  was 
so  small  an  object,  that  I  attracted  no  notice 
whatever. 

" 6  Ahem !  *  I  began.  Whereupon  some  of  the 
birds  turned  about  and  stared  at  me.  '  My  home 
is  very  far  north  of  your  country,'  I  said ;  '  but  a 
good  fairy  has  kindly  given  me  permission  to 
visit  you  all.' 

" 6  Indeed,'  exclaimed  an  old  stork.  <  How 
extraordinary !  If  you  was  a  bird,  now,  it 
would  not  seem  so  strange.' 

" '  A  bird  brought  me,  —  Mother  Carey's 
chicken.' 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


59 


"  <  Could  you  not  find  a  better  bearer  than  one 
of  those  fussy,  bustling  little  bodies  ?  ■  said  a 
handsome  egret  scornfully. 

" '  Do  not  despise  the  petrel  because  she  is  not 
so  strong  and  beautiful  as  yourself, '  I  replied. 

" ( Ha,  ha ! 9  laughed  a  macaw  from  his  high 
perch.  6  How  fine  it  is  to  be  a  water-fowl,  and 
have  such  long  legs.' 

"  At  this  all  the  storks,  herons,  and  egrets 
ruffled  their  plumes,  and  prepared  for  an  angry 
dispute  with  the  saucy  macaw ;  but  I  hastened  to 
interfere. 

"'I  should  be  sorry  to  make  any  trouble  among 
you.  If  you  would  tell  me  any  wonders  to  be 
seen  here,  or  show  me  any  of  your  homes,  I 
should  be  greatly  obliged.' 

"A  black  nose  was  poked  out  of  the  water, 
and  a  turtle,  in  a  shrill  little  voice,  piped, — 

" 6  Did  you  ever  see  us  lay  eggs  ?  We  shall  be 
about  it  soon,'  then  sank  out  of  sight  again. 

"  4  As  to  that,  the  world  is  full  of  wonders 
wherever  you  may  turn,'  said  the  stork,  who  had 
first  spoken.    4  You  should  visit  our  ants '  — 

"  What  more  the  stork  would  have  said,  I  can- 


60 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


not  tell ;  for  just  then  a  crashing  noise  was  heard 
in  the  thicket,  and  all  my  companions  took  flight 
on  the  approach  of  the  lord  of  the  forest.  Pres- 
ently the  jaguar  appeared  close  beside  me,  and 
stooped  to  quench  his  thirst  in  the  pool,  so  I  had 
an  opportunity  of  seeing  what  a  fine  creature  he 
was,  with  his  soft  striped  fur,  velvet  paws,  and 
glowing,  cruel  eyes.  I  did  not  dare  move  even 
so  much  as  to  put  on  my  cap,  while  my  wings 
seemed  paralyzed  with  fear.  Startled  by  some 
sound,  for  he  is  a  very  shy,  cautious  animal,  the 
jaguar  retired  again,  and  I  only  just  escaped  a 
severe  crushing  from  his  powerful  foot  as  he 
passed. 

"  I  must  now  describe  to  you  my  first  night  in 
a  tropical  land.  As  darkness  increased  I  sought 
shelter  on  a  spreading  shrub,  and  the  insects 
began  a  tremendous  noise.  '  They  will  grow 
sleepy  by  and  by,'  I  thought  drowsily. 

"  But  not  a  wink  of  sleep  did  they  take,  or 
allow  me,  that  whole  long  night.  The  howling 
monkeys  began  the  concert,  the  tree-frogs  and 
crickets  trilled  occasionally,  and  the  owls  hooted 
dismally.   When  I  tried  to  stop  my  ears  to  these 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP.  61 

sounds,  the  fire-flies,  resembling  crystal  drops  of 
fire,  flared  their  torches  in  my  face  with  blinding 
brilliancy. 

"  '  Don't,  please,'  I  pleaded. 

"  The  naughty  fire-flies  only  laughed  at  my 
misery,  and  danced  around  me  in  bewildering 
circles  of  flame,  until  my  eyes  ached. 

"  4 1  wish  you  would  be  quiet,'  I  said  crossly. 

" 6  Quiet,'  echoed  the  fire -flies.  '  Not  we. 
There  is  all  to-morrow  for  naps.' 

"It  was  not  long,  with  such  an  experience, 
before  I  found  I  could  not  live  in  the  tropics. 
I  never  had  a  sound  night's  rest  while  there. 

"  I  strolled  on  through  the  cool,  shady  forest, 
which  formed  a  delightful  contrast  to  the  hot, 
sunny  landscape  without.  What  most  amused 
me  was  to  see  the  little,  striped-faced  monkeys 
poke  a  cluster  of  inquisitive  heads  out  of  the 
holes  of  trees  where  they  were  sleeping,  if  any 
sound  disturbed  them.  They  paid  dearly  for 
their  curiosity,  as  I  shall  presently  tell  you.  I 
had  paused  to  admire  the  butterflies  that  clus- 
tered in  the  sunlight  here  and  there,  as  if  de- 
sirous to  display  their  gorgeous  coloring  to  the 


62 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


best  advantage.  Some  were  of  a  velvet  black- 
ness, relieved  by  rose-colored  and  green  shad- 
ings ;  others  were  of  a  blue,  metallic  lustre ; 
and  others  floated  on  outspread  wings,  trans- 
parent as  glass,  spangled  with  lines  of  violet, 
silver,  and  gold.  No  wonder  the  lovely  insects 
were  vain  of  their  gaudy  dress !  When  I  told 
them  I  was  a  stranger,  they  danced  and  pirouet- 
ted in  their  giddy  flight,  until  they  resembled  the 
wandering  petals  of  falling  flowers.  Suddenly  a 
handsome  dragon-fly,  whose  armor  glittered  with 
a  golden  refulgence,  swooped  down  to  capture 
one  of  the  butterflies,  then  retired  to  a  neighbor- 
ing branch,  and  prepared  to  devour  his  prey. 

" '  Why  don't  you  stay  at  home  with  your  so- 
ber wife,  instead  of  whisking  about  where  I  can 
catch  you  ? '  said  the  dragon-fly,  shaking  his 
pretty  captive. 

"  Just  then  there  approached  a  very  singular- 
looking  person  indeed.  He  wore  a  broad  hat, 
blue  spectacles,  and  had  a  great  many  curious 
tin  cases  slung  about  his  belt  and  over  his 
shoulder.  In  his  hand  he  carried  a  dip-net, 
which  he  threw  cleverly  over  our  heads,  and 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


63 


entangled  us  in  the  bag.  We  could  do  nothing 
but  stare  helplessly  at  one  another  in  dismay. 

"  '  Oh,  dear ! '  cried  a  young  butterfly  piteous- 
ly.  '  We  shall  now  have  pins  driven  through 
us,  and  be  speared  to  a  cardboard  platter  for 
ever.    I  have  heard  my  mother  say  so.' 

"We  all  shivered,  —  even  the  dragon-fly,  who 
had  been  captured  also.  Of  course  the  striped- 
faced  monkeys  came  peeping  out  in  the  wrong 
time,  and,  after  a  good  deal  of  poking  into  the 
tree,  one  of  them  was  caught.  Thus  the  nat- 
uralist gentleman  returned  home  with  his  treas- 
ures, the  little  monkey  alone  of  us  all  being 
destined  to  live. 

"  The  first  thing,  upon  taking  us  from  the  net, 
was  to  politely  hold  a  bottle  to  our  noses,  which 
caused  a  few  feeble  kicks  in  the  air,  then  a  faint- 
ing fit.  When  I  again  opened  my  eyes,  I  was 
lying  upon  a  board,  surrounded  by  my  compan- 
ions, who  were  transfixed  with  pins  upon  paper, 
as  the  young  butterfly  had  said.  I  certainly 
thought  my  end  had  come,  and  that  hereafter 
my  body  was  destined  to  adorn  some  cabinet. 
I  pretended  to  be  still  unconscious,  and  so  lay 


64 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


quite  motionless  under  the  large  microscope 
through  which  the  naturalist  gentleman  regard- 
ed me,  now  poking  my  ribs,  now  turning  my 
head  to  one  side,  and  all  the  while  making  re- 
marks on  my  personal  appearance. 

"  '  I  don't  believe  that  you  belong  here  at  all/ 
he  exclaimed.  '  I  must  dissect  what  may  prove 
a  new  species.' 

"  Here  seemed  my  last  chance  of  escape ;  so, 
watching  an  opportunity,  when  he  was  selecting 
a  suitable  knife  to  carve  me  up  with,  I  drew  my 
elf's  cap  from  under  my  wing.  The  naturalist 
gentleman  was  too  quick  for  me:  he  seized  my 
niglnVcap  with  his  tweezers,  and  began  eagerly 
to  examine  it.  I  was  sorry  enough  for  the  loss. 
Still  one  had  better  part  with  the  fairy's  gift  than 
life  itself :  so  I  flew  away.  I  dare  say  the  natu- 
ralist gentleman  may  have  carefully  preserved 
the  cobweb  cap,  to  puzzle  science  with  for  a 
long  time. 

"Journeying  on,  I  came  to  the  bank  of  one 
of  the  largest  rivers  in  the  world.  I  paused  to 
view  the  waves  dash  against  the  shore  in  foam, 
the  vessels  flit  past  on  the  strong  breeze,  and 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


65 


the  distant  villages  on  the  other  side.  There 
were  several  low  strips  of  sand  reaching  out 
from  near  where  I  rested,  and  I  observed  groups 
^of  natives  making  camp-fires,  or  erecting  a 
kind  of  watch-tower  overlooking  the  land.  I 
inquired  what  they  were  doing,  of  a  monkey 
who  sat  stroking  his  sandy  whiskers  with  an 
indolent  air. 

"  4  Ah  !  don't  you  know  ? '  he  returned.  6  They 
are  waiting  for  the  turtles  to  lay  their  eggs.' 

"  The  next  morning  I  beheld  a  curious  sight. 
In  the  first  gray  dawn,  myriads  of  turtles  were 
creeping  down  the  sandy  slope,  and  flapping  into 
the  water  again,  their  duties  of  depositing  eggs 
for  that  season  being  accomplished.  No  sooner 
had  they  departed,  than  the  natives  gave  signals, 
and  from  every  direction  crowded  the  boats  to 
receive  the  eggs,  which  would  then  be  prepared 
as  turtle  oil,  and  sold  in  jars. 

"  I  decided  to  try  and  find  the  ants  next,  as  I 
had  been  recommended  to  do  so  by  the  stork. 
The  monkey  could  tell  me  but  little  of  them, 
and  advised  my  searching  farther  inland.  I 
next  encountered  the  iguana,  who  poked  his 
5 


66 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


head  out  from  among  the  creeping  vines  of  a 
tree  as  I  passed.  Any  thing  so  monstrous  in 
a  lizard  I  had  never  dreamed  of.  It  must  have 
been  five  feet  long,  was  very  fat,  and  the  skin 
changed  color  like  that  of  a  chameleon.  The 
Indians  are  fond  of  the  eggs  of  this  species, 
which  they  eat  mixed  with  farinha.  When  I 
asked  about  the  ants,  the  iguana  answered, — 

"'I  do  not  trouble  myself  much  about  those 
busy  fellows ;  still,  you  will  find  them  almost 
everywhere,  I  dare  say.' 

"  I  bid  him  good-by  hastily,  for  I  was  half 
afraid  of  such  a  great  creature,  and  left  him 
winking  lazily  on  the  branch  as  before.  If  the 
Spider  was  here,  I  could  tell  him  of  some  rela- 
tives that  I  met,  —  rough,  hairy  spiders,  with 
fierce  looks ;  soft,  plump  things  that  melt  away 
almost  at  the  touch ;  and  others  of  gorgeous  hues, 
that  double  themselves  into  cunning  shapes  to 
resemble  flowers  and  buds.  At  last  I  came  upon 
an  army  of  Saiiba  ants,  each  one  carrying  a  bit 
of  green  leaf  daintily  as  a  parasol.  Although 
on  the  march,  the  whole  company  treated  me 
most  cordially. 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


67 


" '  We  cannot  stop  now,'  said  one  of  the  sol- 
diers.   '  Come  with  us.' 

"  So  I  followed  in  the  train,  curious  to  know 
what  they  were  about.  Presently  they  paused  ; 
and  a  detachment  turned  aside  to  overrun  an 
orange-tree,  from  which  they  stripped  the  foliage 
with  incredible  rapidity.  Having  performed  this 
duty,  they  rejoined  the  main  army,  and  the  whole 
moved  on  to  their  incomplete  nest.  Here  the 
leaf-bearers  merely  threw  down  their  burdens, 
and  the  workers  placed  them  in  proper  order. 

"  4  We  use  the  bits  of  leaf  to  thatch  the  dome 
of  our  house,  thus  preventing  the  loose  earth 
from  falling  in,'  said  an  ant  near  by,  pausing  to 
take  breath  in  the  midst  of  his  labors. 

"  He  then  led  me  through  the  vast  subterra- 
nean galleries  of  their  dwelling,  which  extended 
an  immense  distance,  as  may  be  imagined,  for 
the  exterior  of  the  nest  must  have  been  at  least 
forty  feet  in  diameter.  The  ants  promised,  if  I 
would  return  after  their  day's  work  was  done, 
they  would  give  me  some  interesting  accounts 
of  themselves.  Leaving  the  busy  throng,  I  crept 
into  a  flower-bell  to  take  a  nap.    When  I  re- 


68 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


turned,  the  Saiiba  ants  were  actually  resting 
themselves,  —  a  luxury  that  I  did  not  suppose 
an  ant  ever  indulged  in.  Some  of  them  were 
strolling  about  at  their  ease ;  and  others  were 
diligently  scrubbing  their  coats  after  their  work, 
or  were  assisting  each  other  in  the  friendly  task 
of  brushing  such  portions  of  the  body  as  could 
not  be  reached  by  the  owner.  They  were  very 
chatty  and  agreeable,  so  we  enjoyed  ourselves 
very  much. 

"  i  Have  you  met  the  foraging  ant  ? '  asked 
one.  6  They  sally  forth  with  officers  to  direct  the 
movement.  They  are  rather  hot-tempered  and 
cross,  to  be  sure,  attacking  any  one  fiercely  that 
may  come  in  their  path ;  yet  they  do  a  world 
of  good.  When  it  is  known  they  are  approach- 
ing, people  open  every  closet,  drawer,  and  box 
in  their  houses,  that  the  ants  may  search  and 
cleanse  them.  What  digestions  they  have  ! 
Scorpions,  cockroaches,  lizards,  rats,  and  snakes 
are  devoured  in  a  trice ;  while  into  every  crack 
and  cranny  where  a  stray  insect  may  have  hid- 
den pour  the  army  until  all  is  cleared  :  then  on 
they  go  again.' 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


69 


"  6  How  wonderful ! '  I  exclaimed. 

"  6 1  can  tell  you  of  a  wiser  race  yet,'  chimed 
in  another.  '  The  agricultural  ant  of  Texas 
plants  and  reaps  for  itself.  The  nest  is  sur- 
rounded by  a  mound,  and  then  the  land  is  cleared 
for  several  feet  beyond.  A  grain -bearing  grass 
is  sowed  by  the  insect,  and  afterward  tended 
with  great  care,  the  ant  cutting  away  all  other 
grasses  or  weeds  that  may  spring  up,  —  like  the 
good  farmer  it  is.  When  the  small,  white  seed 
is  ripe,  it  is  carefully  harvested,  and  carried  into 
the  granary,  where  it  is  cleared  of  the  chaff, 
which  is  thrown  outside  as  worthless.  Should 
the  rain  wet  the  winter  stores,  the  ant  brings  the 
grain  out  into  the  sun  to  dry,  that  the  damp  may 
not  cause  sprouting  among  the  provisions.  What 
do  you  think  of  all  that  ? '  concluded  the  ant, 
with  a  triumphant  manner. 

"  4 1  think  you  are  the  most  wonderful  insects 
in  the  world.' 

"  At  this  the  Saiiba  ants  all  looked  highly 
pleased,  and  they  richly  deserved  the  compli- 
ment ;  so  there  was  really  no  harm  in  it.  I  found 
myself  exposed  to  so  many  dangers,  without  my 


70 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


magic  cap,  that  I  finally  concluded  to  fly  to  the 
seashore,  and  see  if  I  could  take  passage  home- 
ward again.  Here  I  found  no  other  a  bird  than 
the  Petrel's  baby,  now  a  handsome  young  fellow 
enough,  who  readily  agreed  to  carry  me  north- 
ward. 

"  I  strapped  myself  to  my  bearer  with  the 
horsehairs,  and  found  myself  rather  a  better 
sailor  than  on  my  first  voyage.  I  am  now  on 
my  way  to  the  pansy  fairy,  with  the  petition  that 
he  will  give  me  another  cap.  If  he  consents,  I 
shall  next  visit  Europe  and  the  East,"  said  the 
ambitious  Wasp  pompously,  in  conclusion. 

The  whole  Club  were  so  much  entertained  by 
this  history,  that  the  Saucepan  never  once  com- 
plained of  her  uncomfortable  position,  rolling  on 
her  side.  Hulda  was  much  surprised  to  find  her 
in  this  attitude  next  morning ;  but  the  maid  ser- 
vant wisely  concluded  the  rats  must  have  visited 
the  shelf,  and  whisked  the  Saucepan  off  with  their 
long  tails. 

When  it  came  time  for  the  disappointed  Cat- 
erpillar, they  were  surprised  by  the  entrance  of 
a  welcome  guest:  the  Spider  came  sidling  in, 


THE  AMBITIOUS  WASP. 


Tl 


looking  gay  as  possible.  Of  course  they  all 
spoke  at  the  same  time,  and  asked  a  hundred 
questions  before  he  could  answer  one  ;  especially 
the  Teapot,  who  had  never  appeared  so  excited 
on  any  previous  occasion. 

"  I  am  all  right  again,  thank  you,"  said  the 
Spider  gruffly.  "  I  got  a  few  bruises  by  my  fall 
from  the  window ;  but,  being  used  to  tumbles  of 
all  sorts,  I  have  now  recovered  somewhat,  al- 
though I  felt  rather  stiff  the  next  day." 

"  I  am  not  fond  of  talking,"  said  the  Cater- 
pillar, with  humility,  "  nor  can  I  do  so  well.  In 
my  present  state  of  caterpillarhood,  I  am  aware 
that  I  do  not  please, — that  I  am  not,  in  fact, 
any  thing  but  an  uninteresting  glutton.  There ! 
the  Spider  is  laughing  already." 

"  I  should  be  sorry  to  do  any  thing  so  rude," 
said  the  Spider  slyly ;  "  only  you  are  rather 
fond  of  leaf-salad,  I  have  heard." 

"  True,"  replied  the  Caterpillar,  smacking  his 
lips  at  the  thought.  "  What  could  be  more 
delicious  !  Still  I  must  not  dwell  upon  topics  of 
food,  for  fear  I  should  never  have  done  describ- 
ing such  delicacies  as  suit  my  palate.    I  shall 


72 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


not  find  much  in  my  own  personal  history  to 
entertain  you  this  evening.  Never  having  trav- 
elled, like  my  two  distinguished  companions,  I 
cannot  bring  to  your  notice  the  wonders  of  other 
lands,  as  they  have  so  ably  done." 

Here  the  Wasp  and  Spider  arose,  laid  one 
foreleg  upon  the  heart,  and  made  a  low  bow  in 
acknowledgment  of  the  compliment. 

This  ceremony  over,  the  Caterpillar  pro- 
ceeded :  — 


THE  DISAPPOINTED  CATERPILLAR.  73 


THE  DISAPPOINTED  CATERPILLAR. 


"J  HAVE  had  no  occasion  to  stroll  farther 
away  than  the  garden  of  this  house.  I 
am  sadly  puzzled  for  something  to  talk  about. 
The  Wasp  has  anticipated  me,  even,  in  a  descrip- 
tion of  butterflies,  —  a  state  I  am  in  hopes  of 
attaining  some  time,  when  you  will  not  be  able 
to  recognize  me.  My  world  has  been  limited, 
so  far ;  yet  I  have  seen  some  wonderful  things, 
too.  Did  any  of  you  ever  see  a  humming- 
bird ? " 

"Yes,"  said  the  Cricket,  Spider,  and  Wasp 
in  a  breath. 

"  Did  any  of  you  ever  converse  with  one  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  suppose  they  ever  stopped  buzzing 
about  long  enough  to  speak,"  remarked  the 
Spider. 

"  I  have  talked  with  one,"  said  the  Caterpillar 
triumphantly.   "  When  I  was  just  hatched,  some 

D 


74 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


week  or  more  ago,  I  crawled  for  the  first  time 
out  of  the  soft,  warm  bed  my  good  mother  had 
made  me  in  the  curve  of  a  leaf.  I  stretched 
myself  upon  the  leaf  which  had  been  my  cradle, 
to  enjoy  the  warm  sunlight,  and  looked  about 
upon  the  various  forms  of  life  and  beauty  to  be 
seen  on  a  summer  morning.  The  buttercups 
and  daisies  laughed  up  at  me  from  the  grass, 
the  insects  floated  about  on  gauzy  wings,  while 
the  birds  darted  from  branch  to  branch  in  merry 
sport. 

"  Close  beside  my  leaf  couch  was  a  knot,  or 
natural  excrescence  in  the  branch  ;  and  this  tiny 
cavity  held  a  nest,  lined  with  fibres  from  mullein 
leaves  and  fern-down,  containing  two  pearly  eggs 
no  larger  than  peas. 

"  Suddenly  a  glittering  object  shot  up  into 
the  air  until  it  was  almost  lost  to  sight;  then 
descended  upon  the  nest  I  was  just  examining. 
No  wonder  the  eggs  resembled  pearls,  when  the 
parent  bird  could  not  have  been  more  than  two 
inches  in  length.  When  I  beheld  the  lovely, 
fragile  thing,  with  its  diamond-bright  eyes,  and 
the  plumage  of  the  graceful  curved  throat,  glit- 


THE  DISAPPOINTED  CATERPILLAR.  75 

tering  like  burnished  metal  in  changing  hues  of 
orange  and  ruby,  I  felt  ready  to  cry  with  vexa- 
tion that  I  was  such  an  ugly,  worm-like  creature. 
True,  I  shall  be  handsomer  sometime  ;  but  I  can 
never  be  a  humming-bird.  Besides,  I  belong  to 
a  sober  species.  A  robin  came  hopping  along 
jauntily  from  twig  to  twig,  with  a  morsel  of 
cherry  in  his  beak. 

"  6  Such  a  fright  as  I  have  had,'  twittered  the 
humming-bird.  6  A  great  stupid  man  was  peer- 
ing about  to  find  my  nest  a  long  while,  and  to- 
day he  has  followed  me.  Ah !  but  I  gave  him 
a  long  journey.  I  fluttered  right  and  left,  or 
darted  ahead  ;  then  finally  rose  in  the  air  so  high 
he  could  hardly  see  my  wee  body ;  then  dashed 
down  here  safe  enough.' 

"  '  A  wise  plan,'  commented  the  robin.  4  Thank 
fortune,  I  am  not  in  such  demand.' 

"  Interested  in  the  conversation,  I  crept  too 
near  the  margin  of  the  leaf,  lost  my  balance,  and 
fell  upon  the  nest. 

"  '  You  awkward  thing,'  said  the  bird,  giving 
me  a  contemptuous  poke  aside.  '  How  ugly  you 
are  ! ' 


76 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  1 1  know  it,'  I  replied ;  4  it  was  my  admira- 
tion of  your  superior  beauty  that  caused  my 
fall.  Excuse  the  clumsiness  of  a  caterpillar  just 
born.' 

"  4  Go  away  with  your  nonsense  and  flattery. 
I  feared  I  was  shot  when  you  fell.' 

" £  Who  would  hurt  you  ? '  I  asked,  slowly 
climbing  back  to  my  leaf. 

"  4  Plenty  of  enemies.  That  man  is  watching 
below,  and  nothing  would  delight  his  cruel  soul 
so  much  as  to  carry  away  my  family.' 

"  4  Tell  me  something  amusing,  or  I  will  inform 
him  where  you  live.' 

"  4  He  would  not  believe  a  caterpillar,'  laughed 
Madame  Humming-bird.  4  However,  I  will  tell 
you  any  thing  in  my  power.' 

44  4  If  it  is  all  about  your  distinguished  relations 
in  the  South,  I  have  heard  enough  on  that  sub- 
ject already,'  said  the  spiteful  robin. 

44  At  this  the  other  grew  very  angry,  inflating 
her  tiny  throat,  and  snapping  her  bill.  I  tried 
to  soothe  her  wrath,  for  I  dislike  any  thing  irri- 
tating. 

44  4  1  always  did  despise  robins.     My  great 


THE  DISAPPOINTED  CATERPILLAR.  77 

family,  indeed  !  One  should  learn  better  than  to 
associate  with  plebeians.' 

4  The  robin  was  jealous  of  your  superior 
beauty.' 

"  This  made  the  humming-bird  good-natured 
again  ;  so  she  went  on  :  — 

"  '  Did  you  ever  hear  of  my  first  cousin  the 
Chimborazian  hill-star  ?  Ah  !  there  is  a  fine  bird 
for  you.  Not  afraid  to  expose  his  frail  form  to 
the  cold  of  higher  latitudes,  he  dearly  loves 
mountain  air.  I  will  tell  you  a  story  about  him 
sometime.  The  hermits  are  so  clever  at  build- 
ing nests,  they  would  laugh  at  this  rude  cradle 
of  mine  ;  still,  as  I  cannot  find  any  suitable  leaf 
to  suspend  my  nest  from,  bound  by  elastic  spider- 
threads,  I  just  use  this  knot,  which  .answers  the 
purpose  after  all.  Some  of  them  form  a  felt-like 
substance  of  moss  and  bark  woven  together ; 
others  use  a  fungus  resembling  buff-leather ;  while 
the  Sappho  comet  lines  her  nest  with  the  long 
hairs  of  the  clamas.  My  relatives  can  boast  the 
greatest  variety  of  coloring.  They  have  black 
diadems,  purple-shaded  patches,  or  vivid  scarlet, 
blue,  and  crimson  aigrettes.    I  do  not  know  why 


78 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


people  need  invent  fairies  and  gnomes  when  they 
can  have  us  for  subjects,  flashing  about  among 
the  flowers,  as  gay  as  the  brightest  them,  or 
bathing  in  some  secluded  nook  of  the  brook, 
under  the  fern-leaves  that  form  a  tiny  bower.' 

"  We  were  so  much  interested  in  the  subject 
under  discussion,  that  we  never  heeded  the  ap- 
proach of  danger.  I  looked  up  and  saw  a  man's 
face  close  beside  me.  He  was  climbing  cautiously 
along,  his  gaze  fixed  upon  my  pretty  companion. 
Before  I  could  give  any  warning,  I  was  shaken 
to  the  ground,  and  the  humming-bird  continued 
to  talk  of  her  great  relations,  unobservant  of  my 
fall.  I  watched  eagerly,  and  presently  the  man 
came  down  again,  with  his  captive  and  her  nest 
uninjured. 

"  '  Oh,  my  dear  Caterpillar!'  she  sighed,  look- 
ing through  the  meshes  of  the  fine  net  which 
covered  her  little  head  ;  '  I  wish  you  were  strong 
enough  to  help  me.  However,  promise  to  find 
my  husband,  and  tell  him  of  my  sad  fate.' 

"  I  have  never  found  him,"  said  the  disap- 
pointed Caterpillar.  "  I  presume  he  has  consoled 
himself  with  another  wife  by  this  time.  I  searched 


THE  DISAPPOINTED  CATERPILLAR.  79 

faithfully,  crawling  over  whole  trees  in  hopes  of 
seeing  him,  and  exposing  myself  to  many  dan- 
gers. I  met  other  caterpillars  in  plenty.  That 
of  the  looper-moth  supports  itself  for  hours  on 
the  hinder  feet,  raising  the  body  high  in  air,  and, 
by  a  resemblance  to  the  twigs  of  the  tree,  suc- 
ceeds in  deceiving  the  birds  that  would  devour 
it.  Some  I  found  to  be  protected  from  injury 
by  tufts  of  hair,  acrid  secretions,  and  stinging 
powers.  Others  so  closely  resembled  brown, 
crumpled  leaves,  or  green,  fresh  ones,  that  I 
should  never  have  known  them  had  they  not 
spoken ;  while  some  of  the  number  arm  their 
dwellings  with  thorns.  I  have  even  heard  of 
another  species,  called  bombardiers,  who  fire  off 
little  guns  when  pursued,  accompanied  by  a  blue 
smoke  and  disagreeable  scent. 

"  I  liked  to  watch  the  ermine-moth  community 
the  best.  They  spin  a  commodious  tent;  and, 
wherever  they  wander  over  the  tree,  they  carry 
a  thread  with  them,  so  that  they  may  not  lose 
the  way.  Birds  can  do  no  more  than  strike  their 
wings  against  the  elastic  bridges  thus  formed : 
they  cannot  penetrate  the  lines. 


80 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  Well,  all  the  caterpillars  laughed  at  my  folly 
in  searching  for  the  humming-bird's  husband; 
and  perhaps  they  were  right.  I  now  have  reason 
to  despair  of  ever  meeting  him,  for  he  never 
returned  to  where  the  nest  had  been  ;  and  a  slow 
crawling  caterpillar  cannot  hope  to  pursue  the 
flight  of  a.  bird." 

Here  the  Caterpillar  paused  abruptly  :  the 
"Wasp,  interested  alone  in  startling  incident  or 
romantic  adventure,  was  yawning. 

"  Really,- 1  beg  your  pardon,"  he  had  the  grace 
to  say ;  "I  did  not  sleep  well  last  night." 

But  apologies  or  entreaties  did  no  manner  of 
good.  The  Caterpillar  steadfastly  refused  to 
continue  his  tale. 

"  Yery  likely  I  was  growing  tiresome,"  he  re- 
plied in  an  injured  tone.  Yet  he  made  no  further 
remark  ;  for  the  Caterpillar,  like  other  slow  per- 
sons, was  apt  to  be  obstinate.  This  made  affairs 
rather  stiff  and  uncomfortable  ;  so  they  were  all 
glad  to  retire  for  the  night. 

The  next  evening,  the  Caterpillar  was  still 
sulky,  and  resisted  all  attempts  of  the  Teapot 
to  coax  him  into  better  humor.    The  Cricket 


THE  DISAPPOINTED  CATERPILLAR.  81 

wisely  concluded  to  divert  matters,  by  inviting 
the  Spider  to  entertain  them. 

"  I  believe  I  am  something  of  an  author," 
said  the  Spider,  "  although  I  have  never  writ- 
ten for  any  of  the  magazines  of  the  day.  I 
will  tell  you  a  story  I  composed  last  summer, 
if  you  like.', 


D* 


6 


82 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


THE  FOUR  SILVER  PEACHES. 


■  JgEYOND  the  Frith  of  Clyde,  the  Kyles  of 
Bute  cleaving  their  way  among  gray  cliffs, 
tapestried  with  mosses  and  richly  clothed  with 
lichens,  past  Loch  Ridan's  clear  waters,(past  the 
peninsula  of  Cantyre,  on  the  bosom  of  the  Atlan- 
tic, lies  a  group  of  islets,  varied  in  hue  and  form, 
—  the  Hebrides. 

"  To  this  isolated  region,  where  the  ocean  hurls 
in  winter  storms  against  the  rock  walls,  or  rip-  ■ 
pies  in  caressing  waves  under  summer  skies,  we 
will  turn ;  for  children  have  been  born  on  that 
rugged  shore,  scenting  the  heather  and  wild 
thyme  with  their  first  breath. 

"  On  the  island  of  Iona,  near  Port  St.  Ronain, 
there  once  lived  a  good  man,  who  had  three 
strong  sons,  and  two  ruddy,  blue-eyed  daughters. 
One  thing  troubled  him :  little  Neil,  his  nephew, 


THE  FOUR  SILVER  PEACHES. 


83 


did  not  thrive  so  well ;  for  he  was  a  cripple,  and 
it  saddened  the  uncle's  heart  to  see  the  boy  droop 
and  pine  away. 

"  Little  Neil  was  an  orphan  ;  and  he  missed  a 
good  mother  so  much,  that  he  was  not  happy,  like 
his  sturdy  cousins.  He  could  never  run  along 
the  stretch  of  white  sand,  flecked  with  quartz 
and  shells  from  the  Ross  of  Mull.  No  :  he  could 
only  creep  painfully  to  the  brink  of  the  green, 
crystal  waters,  to  peep  into  their  clear  depths  ;  or 
climb  to  some  higher  eminence,  and  watch  the 
sea-birds  in  their  rapid  flight,  the  distant  outline 
of  cliffs  shining  in  the  sunlight,  and  the  light 
breeze  curling  the  waves  crisply  about  the  bows 
of  many  a  little  craft  that  skimmed  over  the  azure 
sea  only  to  melt  into  the  hazy  distance. 

"  Neil  loved  the  ocean  and  the  sky  above 
it,  embracing  between  them  his  island  home. 
Everybody  thought  him  a  strange  child,  and  this 
naturally  gave  him  very  bitter  feelings :  it  seemed 
to  him  he  should  like  so  much  to  be  his  cousin 
Angus,  who  hunted  the  otter  and  tended  the 
sheep,  sleeping  many  a  night  upon  the  open  hill- 
side, wrapped  in  his  plaid. 


84 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  The  lame  child  had  never  been  at  school ; 
yet  he  had  heard  the  traditions  of  his  home  often 
related  about  the  winter  fireside.  He  had  heard 
the  grandeur  of  Fingal's  Cave  described ;  the 
stone  cairn  that  marks  the  last  resting-place  of 
the  Scandinavian  woman,  whose  wish  it  was  to 
be  buried  in  the  pathway  of  the  Norway  wind ; 
and  the  castle  of  Duart,  where  a  lord  of  the  isles 
left  his  wife  to  be  overwhelmed  by  the  rising  tide. 
Then,  too,  he  had  shuddered  with  fear  over  many 
a  tale  of  ghosts  and  goblins  haunting  ruined 
houses  ;  for  the  Scotch  people  are  superstitious. 

"  The  great  day  of  the  year  arrived,  and  all 
the  cousins  went  to  the  fair  held  at  Broadford, 
on  the  Isle  of  Skye.  Little  Neil  had  once  been 
there,  to  see  the  women  with  smart  caps  and 
scarlet  tartans  grouped  about  their  cows  and 
sheep,  while  the  men  and  boys  passed  in  restless, 
changing  crowds ;  but  the  noise  and  bustle  wea- 
ried him,  so  he  remained  at  home. 

"  Now  I  am  coming  to  the  real  matter  of  the 
story :  the  kernel  shall  be  ready  for  your  appe- 
tite, if  you  have  but  the  patience  to  crack  the 
shell.    We  will  see  what  kind  of  entertainment 


THE  FOUR  SILVER  PEACHES. 


85 


was  prepared  for  the  lonely  cripple,  who  told  his 
thoughts  to  no  one,  and  chose  the  whispering 
winds  for  companions. 

"  When  the  sun  sank  over  the  broad  ocean,  lhV 
tie  Neil  sought  a  favorite  nook  in  which  to  watch 
the  long  day  die.  Fainter  grew  the  rich  hues  of 
the  western  sky,  more  distant  the  line  of  rocks, 
here  outlined  in  creamy  whiteness,  there  abruptly 
riven  by  some  black  precipice,  until  Neil  fancied 
strange  forms  were  flitting  about  the  bases  of 
the  cliffs,  and  rose  to  go ;  but  he  was  stayed  by 
a  curious  sight.  The  sea  was  glimmering  with  a 
phosphorescent  light,  and  the  waves  that  broke 
upon  the  shore  were  gemmed  with  globules  of 
living  fire,  which  melted  away  almost  impercep- 
tibly into  rosy  shades.  The  boy  had  often  seen 
the  ocean  thus  illuminated ;  but  his  gaze  was  at- 
tracted to  a  certain  point,  where  the  brilliancy 
centred  in  a  wave  of  beautiful  transparency, 
through  which  glittered  emerald  and  golden 
flashes,  appearing  and  disappearing  in  rapid  suc- 
cession, until  Neil  was  dazzled  by  the  splendid 
sight. 

"The  wave  throne  upreared  slowly,  creamed 


86 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


over,  and  deposited  at  the  boy's  feet  a  casket  of 
delicate  frost-work,  glittering  with  a  wonderful 
radiance.  Neil  reached  forward  and  touched  it, 
when  the  lid  flew  open,  disclosing  four  silver 
peaches,  resting  in  separate  filigree  spaces  of  the 
same  precious  metal.  Across  the  fruit  lay  a 
small  case-knife,  the  handle  studded  with  pre- 
cious stones,  and  the  diamond  blade  wearing  a 
keen  edge. 

"  1  This  casket  contains  four  wishes,  from  which 
you  may  choose.  They  are  the  gifts  of  the  Wind 
Sisters,'  said  a  water  spirit ;  then  sank  in  a  circle 
of  foam  bubbles. 

"  In  the  sky  appeared  a  ring  of  blended  colors, 
which  descended  rapidly,  taking  the  form  of  four 
globes,  —  one  rose  pink,  one  gold,  one  green,  and 
the  last  pale  blue.  The  radiance  of  these  globes 
of  light  spread  far  over  the  ocean.  They  parted 
slowly  as  they  neared  him,  the  outline  of  the 
separate  forms  melted  into  soft  masses,  and  upon 
the  vapor  rested  the  Wind  Sisters. 

"  The  South  Wind,  whose  misty  chariot  took 
the  shape  of  a  magnolia  blossom  with  pink- 
tinted  petals  half-opened,  shook  her  rosy  man- 


THE  POUR  SILVER  PEACHES. 


87 


tie.  and  a  breath  of  balmy  perfume  was  wafted  to 
Neil,  like  the  scent  of  a  garden  after  a  summer 
shower. 

"  The  East  Wind  floated  on  a  couch  of  golden 
cloud,  her  black  hair  waving  over  a  fleecy  amber 
robe  down  to  her  sandalled  feet,  while  her  pres- 
ence breathed  a  richer  odor  than  the  delicate 
fragrance  of  the  southern  sister :  it  came  from 
spice-groves  and  orange-trees. 

"  The  West  Wind  stood  erect  upon  her  throne 
of  emerald,  her  fair  head  bound  with  ivy  tendrils, 
her  green  mantle  fluttering  sparkling  breaths  of 
health,  flower-scented  too,  with  the  violet  and 
anemone,  and  in  her  eyes  a  promise  not  found  in 
those  of  her  languid  companions.  Lastly,  on  the 
right  rested  the  North  Wind,  her  stately  form 
supported  on  snowy-white  pinnacle  and  fret-work 
of  vapor,  sharply  denned  as  the  ice  cliffs  that 
frown  upon  the  Polar  Sea.  She  wafted  little  Neil 
no  perfume  of  flower  or  shrub  from  her  lily  dra- 
peries ;  yet  he  felt  a  keener  joy  kindle  in  his 
heart  at  the  frosty  stillness  of  her  presence,  than 
when  the  others  lavished  their  treasures  upon  his 
senses. 


88 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  '  Open  the  first  peach,'  commanded  the  North 
Wind  in  a  grave,  stern  voice. 

"  Neil  raised  the  fruit,  divided  it,  and  found  it 
to  be  lined  with  pure  gold. 

" 4 1  can  give  you  wealth,'  said  the  East  Wind, 
in  a  rich,  soft  voice.    6  Look ! ' 

"  A  scroll  of  mist  rolled  from  her  chariot  to 
the  surface  of  the  water,  taking  the  form  of  a 
mirror  as  it  expanded ;  and  upon  the  polished 
surface  little  Neil  fixed  his  eyes. 

"  First  there  appeared  a  garden,  the  like  of 
which  the  Highland  boy  had  never  dreamed  of. 
Upon  lawns  of  velvet  smoothness  rose  wonderful 
trees,  — the  palm,  towering  into  feathery  crests  ; 
the  lemon,  drooping  a  grateful  shade  of  snowy 
blossoms  ;  and  the  palmetto,  —  all  interlaced  by 
climbing  plants.  In  this  delightful  retreat, 
wearing  robes  of  satin,  and  reclining  upon 
magnificent  carpets,  within  hearing  of  trickling 
streams  or  the  twitter  of  brilliant  birds,  was  a 
man  resembling  Neil's  own  self.  Servants  flit- 
ted about  him,  bearing  flagons  of  sherbet,  or 
held  tempting  fruits  in  their  cool  leaves,  —  the 
delicious  pomegranate  and  juicy  date  ;  while 


THE  FOUR  SILVER  PEACHES. 


89 


grave  men,  slaves  only  to  his  wealth,  bowed  in 
homage. 

"  The  scene  melted  gradually  into  a  palace  of 
splendid  appearance,  where  Neil  still  held  a 
place,  his  turban  spangled  with  diamond,  his 
pipe-stem  encrusted  with  emeralds,  and  the 
dagger  hilt,  half  concealed  in  a  Cashmere  sash, 
glistened  with  amethyst  and  carbuncle.  From 
the  lofty  hall,  vaulted  passages  and  pavilion 
extended,  each  more  rich  in  coloring,  more  gor- 
geous in  ornament,  than  the  last ;  while  beyond 
a  balustrade  of  delicately  carved  marble  sloped  a 
terrace,  blooming  with  roses  and  jasmine  vines. 
Again  the  rich  man  was  surrounded  by  servile 
homage  and  flattery ;  but  Neil  saw  he  was  noth- 
ing but  a  cripple,  after  all. 

"  The  East  Wind  sat  in  her  couch  of  sunshine, 
with  a  triumphant  smile  upon  her  dark  face. 

"  6  Ah !  it  is  all  very  grand,  lady,'  said  Neil 
sadly ;  '  only  must  I  be  lame  still  ? ' 

«  <  Yes.' 

"  4  What  good  would  the  riches  do  me,  then, 
with  the  pain  also  ? ' 

"  *  Much  good.    Think  of  the  power  you  can 


90 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


wield.  The  whole  world  would  open  her  count- 
less treasures.  You  could  obtain  knowledge  ; 
you  could  see  every  thing  that  is  beautiful  or 
interesting  ;  and  you  could  relieve  the  needy  by 
your  bounty.  Better  be  a  rich  cripple  than  a 
poor  one.' 

"  Little  Neil  thought  so,  too  ;  but  he  concluded 
to  cut  another  peach  before  he  decided  the  ques- 
tion. He  did  so ;  and  the  interior  of  the  second 
was  lined  with  crystals  of  great  brilliancy,  that 
shimmered  in  points  of  light  like  a  rainbow 
prism,  yet  their  gleam  was  cold  as  ice. 

"  ( I  can  give  you  fame,'  said  the  West  Wind 
in  musical  tones.    '  Look ! ' 

"  She  unfurled  her  green  mantle,  which  grew 
into  a  mirror  like  the  previous  one,  only  of  an 
intense,  steely  brightness.  Neil  saw  a  range 
of  mountains,  snow-capped,  their  steep  slopes 
skirted  by  pine*-trees ;  while  far  below  spread  a 
sunny  landscape,  ripening  vineyard,  tracts  of 
waving  grain,  and  olive-groves.  Through  the 
narrow  defiles,  down  the  precipitous  heights, 
hewing  a  passage  for  their  clumsy  elephants  by 
fire  and  vinegar,  came  an  army,  and  in  their 


THE  FOUR  SILVER  PEACHES. 


91 


midst  moved  a  man,  the  master  spirit  of  it 
all. 

"  '  Hannibal,'  whispered  the  West  Wind. 

"  The  picture  changed  to  a  succession  of  views, 
—  battle-fields  swathed  in  smoke  ;  soldiers  mov- 
ing across  the  plain,  their  arms  glittering  in  the 
sunlight,  their  banners  fluttering  ;  a  city  burning 
in  wreaths  of  flame  against  a  northern  sky ;  a 
nation  crowning  their  chief  with  laurels. 

"  4  Napoleon,'  whispered  the  West  Wind  again. 

"  Then  the  boy  saw  travellers  exploring  un- 
known regions,  statesmen  and  authors  toiling 
over  vast  schemes. 

"  f  Could  I  be  like  these,  lady  ? '  he  asked. 

"  <  Yes.' 

"  <  Would  I  be  happy  ?  ' 

"  '  That  is  for  you  to  decide.  Fame  is  a  greater 
gift  than  that  of  my  sister  here  :  any  fool  can 
be  rich.  But  every  man  cannot  have  what  these 
men  possessed,  because  God  gave  them  what 
gold  never  can  buy,'  said  the  West  Wind,  her 
proud  eyes  brightening. 

"  '  I  should  only  be  a  cripple,  and  men  would 
laugh  at  me,'  sighed  Neil,  taking  up  the  third 
peach,  and  opening  it. 


92 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  The  lining  was  composed  of  opals,  quivering 
in  tremulous  rajs  of  purple  and  pink  more  beau- 
tiful than  words  can  describe. 

"  '  I  can  grant  you  the  love  of  all,'  said  the 
South  Wind,  in  a  voice  like  the  chime  of  silver 
bells.    <  Look  ! ' 

"  Her  scarf  floated  downward  a  mirror  still 
retaining  a  rosy  tinge,  that  was  a  relief  to  the 
eye  after  the  glitter  of  fame's  glass,  or  the  golden 
haze  of  wealth's  vision. 

"  Neil  saw  himself  on  the  river  bank,  sur- 
rounded by  children,  some  playing  games,  and 
others  reading  in  the  shade.  Upon  his  shoulder 
perched  a  white  dove,  which  appeared  to  whisper 
wise  counsel  in  his  ear ;  for,  whenever  dispute 
arose  among  his  companions,  he  quieted  their 
anger  by  soothing  words. 

"  Again  Neil  saw  himself  a  young  man,  trav- 
ersing the  suburbs  of  a  great  city,  where  gardens 
bloomed  with  purple  grapes,  peaches,  and  golden 
pears.  The  dove  rested  upon  his  head,  seeming 
to  attract  other  birds  that  perched  on  Neil's 
hand  to  preen  their  feathers.  Sleek -crested 
horses  tossed  their  manes  at  his  approach,  and 


THE  FOUR  SILVER  PEACHES. 


93 


the  dogs  crouched  to  be  caressed.  As  he 
entered  the  crowded  streets,  children  laughed, 
fair  women  smiled  ;  and  on  every  face  was  a 
kindly  greeting  for  the  man  with  the  invisible 
dove. 

"  Lastly,  Neil  saw  himself  a  very  old  man, 
seated  before  the  open  door,  as  the  sun  was  set- 
ting in  the  west.  About  him  were  gathered  kind 
friends  ministering  to  his  wants,  the  little  ones 
weaving  a  crown  of  tender  lily  sprays  to  place 
upon  his  head  ;  but  the  dove,  instead  of  perching 
upon  his  shoulder,  as  it  had  done  when  a  boy, 
now  hovered  afar,  ready  to  take  flight.  The 
journey  of  life  was  almost  over. 

"  '  Dear  South  Wind,  let  me  have  this  wish,' 
cried  Neil  eagerly. 

"  '  You  shall  have  it.  Who  can  live  without 
love  ? ' 

"  He  was  so  sure  of  liking  this  gift,  that  he 
pushed  aside  the  casket,  and  the  last  peach  rolled 
on  the  ground. 

" 4  Wait,'  said  the  North  Wind,  <  until  you 
know  my  gift.  I  am  not  sure  you  will  prefer  it ; 
still  you  must  decide.' 


94 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  Neil  severed  the  peach,  and  in  it  were  re- 
flected the  fleeting  shadows  of  angel  forms. 

" 6 1  can  grant  immortality,'  said  the  North 
Wind,  holding  up  a  shield  of  pure  ice,  and  Neil 
saw  a  strange  spectacle. 

"  He  beheld  a  vast  amphitheatre,  crowded  with 
cruel,  hard-featured  people,  all  watching  eagerly 
a  boy  standing  in  the  arena  alone,  yet  wearing 
on  his  upturned  face  a  light  that  shone  upon 
none  of  the  heathen  about  him.  Above  him 
poised  an  angel,  whispering  words  of  encourage- 
ment, as  a  handsome  tiger  sprang  into  the  circle 
from  an  iron  gateway,  and  approached  the  boy 
with  crouching,  stealthy  step.  The  tiger  made 
a  sudden  leap,  the  heathen  crowd  shouted,  and 
two  angels  winged  their  way  above  the  palaces 
and  temples  of  Rome. 

"  Next  there  rolled  a  dark  stream  across  the 
mirror,  bearing  upon  the  current  a  woman,  with 
hands  roughly  bound  together.  Dark  figures 
loomed  against  the  eastern  sky,  watching  her ; 
but  another  watcher  was  there  also,  —  the  same 
angel,  shedding  a  radiance  from  her  golden  wings 
upon  the  drowning  head.    Neil  saw  a  great  man 


% 

THE  FOUR  SILVER  PEACHES.  95 

before  a  haughty  council,  —  Dr.  Martin  Luther ; 
he  saw  many  of  a  humbler  class  teaching  the 
poor  and  ignorant,  whether  in  the  wilds  of  sav- 
age Africa,  or  the  city  streets,  it  mattered  little 
which ;  and  with  each  hovered  the  angel  com- 
panion. Children,  too,  there  were  who  were 
patient  and  unselfish,  doing  what  they  could  in 
little  acts  of  kindness,  while  the  angel  smiled 
even  more  tenderly  upon  them.  Upon  all  their 
faces  beamed  a  joy  that  separated  them  from  the 
world. 

"  '  Riches  do  not  always  bring  happiness,'  said 
the  North  Wind.  '  Fame  seldom  does,  and  mere 
earthly  love  must  fade  before  the  presence  of 
death.' 

" 4  Let  me  be  like  those  you  have  shown  me,' 
cried  Neil,  stretching  out  his  hands  towards 
her. 

"  The  other  sisters  rose  slowly,  floating  south, 
east,  and  west,  until  they  became  balls  of  light 
again ;  but  the  North  Wind  took  the  little  cripple 
in  her  sheltering  arms,  and  bore  him  swiftly 
away.  Over  the  sea  they  went,  the  North  Wind 
sweeping  gracefully  along ;  and  Neil  felt  no  fear 


96 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


of  her,  as  he  had  done  when  she  stood  on  her 
cloud  throne. 

"  At  first  he  could  see  nothing  but  one  vast 
expanse  of  water,  domed  by  the  clear  sky ;  then, 
at  length,  he  noticed  a  dark  line  on  the  horizon, 
which  grew  more  distinct,  and  proved  to  be 
land. 

" '  You  must  begin  the  journey  for  yourself 
now,'  said  the  North  Wind,  alighting  on  the 
shore. 

"  '  Oh,  don't  leave  me ! '  cried  the  child,  cling- 
ing timidly  to  her  white  draperies. 

"'Do  not  fear :  I  shall  still  be  with  you ; 9  and 
then  she  rose  above,  leading  him  on  the  path  he 
should  go.  She  had  now  become  the  angel  that 
guided  the  others. 

"  So  Neil  began  the  toilsome,  painful  journey. 
The  way  led  across  an  arid,  desert  waste,  where 
waves  of  yellow  sand  glowed  under  the  sun's 
fierce  heat.  Neil  hobbled  along  slowly,  the  hot 
earth  scorching  his  feet,  the  brazen  sky  without 
clouds,  and  the  air  stirring  from  a  heavy,  pulse- 
less stillness,  into  sultry  wind  puffs.  The  child 
might  have  drooped  and  fainted  by  the  road,  had 


THE  FOUR  SILVER  PEACHES. 


97 


not  the  North  Wind  spread  her  cool  wings  to 
shade  him  from  the  sun's  vertical  rays.  She 
also  gave  him  a  crystal  flask  of  pure  water, 
and  a  loaf  of  bread ;  but,  although  his  own  lips 
were  parched  with  thirst,  he  gave  the  precious 
draught  to  others  who  implored  the  refresh- 
ment. The  supply  never  failed ;  yet,  when  the 
child  looked  into  the  flask,  there  never  appeared 
to  be  but  a  few  drops  remaining.  So,  too,  with 
his  loaf  of  bread.  There  was  always  more  to 
give  when  he  broke  a  piece ;  yet  there  never 
seemed  enough  to  eat  any  himself. 

"  *  Never  mind,'  he  thought  bravely.  6  All 
these  poor  people  have  not  the  North  Wind  to 
shelter  them,  as  I  have.' 

"At  last  the  desert  plain  ended,  and  Neil 
began  to  ascend  a  steep  mountain-side,  that  was 
clouded  in  a  mist  of  snow  at  the  summit.  He 
found  the  way  still  more  difficult.  Now  he  had 
to  climb  slopes  smooth  as  glass ;  now  he  trod 
a  narrow  ledge  above  a  frightful  precipice,  where 
many  fell ;  or  he  was  obliged  to  cross  glaciers, 
where  the  rough  points  hurt  his  feet,  and  the  ice 
yawned  treacherously  about  him.    The  cold  air 

E  7 


98  THE  cricket's  friends. 


whistled  by ;  and  the  sleet  drifted  in  sheets,  so 
that  he  could  hardly  see  his  way. 

"  The  North  Wind  gave  him  a  fur  cloak.  How 
deliciously  warm  and  soft  it  felt!  A  shivering 
old  man  came  by,  and  Neil  gave  him  the  gar- 
ment. 

" £  Never  mind,'  he  thought,  '  he  is  so  old ; 
and,  besides,  I  have  only  to  look  up  into  the 
North  Wind's  kind  eyes,  to  be  both  warmed 
and  fed.' 

"  Half  frozen  with  cold,  he  finally  descended 
the  other  side  of  the  mountain,  to  the  brink  of 
a  wide  river,  upon  the  opposite  side  of  which 
bloomed  a  fair  country. 

" 6  You  must  swim  the  stream,'  said  the  North 
Wind ;  so  Neil  plunged  in  boldly.  The  waves 
curled  up  over  his  head  at  times ;  great  monsters 
swam  towards  him  with  fierce  looks,  —  serpents 
and  alligators  opening  their  huge  jaws  as  if  to 
devour  him ;  yet  he  panted  on  until  he  was  cast 
upon  the  shore. 

6 '  When  he  awoke,  Neil  found  himself  lying 
upon  the  soft  grass,  near  a  spring  of  water  that 
gurgled  from  a  moss-grown  rock,  with  a  pleasant 


THE  FOUR  SILVER  PEACHES.  99 

sound,  and  tinkled  along  in  mimic  cascades 
beside  him.  He  was  surrounded  by  a  group  of 
fair  children,  who  bade  him  drink  of  the  spring. 
Neil  drank  deeply,  and  immediately  he  felt  a 
new  life.  His  limbs  were  no  longer  distorted, 
his  back  bowed :  he  was  well  at  last. 

"  <  Where  is  the  North  Wind  ? '  he  asked. 

"  The  children  led  him  to  the  gates  of  a  pal- 
ace, which  had  been  before  concealed  from  his 
view. 

"  <  We  have  brought  another  child,'  said  his 
companions ;  and  the  gates  flew  open  to  admit 
them. 

"  In  the  court  of  the  palace  stood  the  North 
Wind,  looking  more  radiant  than  the  sun. 

"  4  Do  you  know  me  ?  '  she  said,  kissing  Neil. 

"  1  Oh  yes,'  he  replied  joyfully.  4  You  are  my 
own  dear  mother,  who  died  so  long  ago.' 

"  The  North  Wind  was  indeed  his  mother. 
Little  Neil  was  in  heaven." 

The  Spider  heaved  a  deep  sigh  when  he  had 
finished,  although  his  countenance  glowed  with 
the  radiance  of  an  inborn  genius.  "I  wish  I 
had  ever  been  able  to  screw  up  my  courage  suf- 


100 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


ficientlj  to  attempt  publishing  any  of  the  ideas 
which  occupy  my  brain,"  he  said. 

"  Why  have  you  not  ?  "  buzzed  the  "Wasp. 

"  Ah,"  returned  the  other,  "  who  ever  heard 
of  a  Spider  turning  author,  and  walking  into  the 
office  of  some  magazine  with  a  manuscript  under 
one  arm  ? " 

"  It  is  an  age  of  improvement,  you  know," 
remarked  the  Cricket. 

"  I  perceive  you  have  a  fine  mind,"  said  the 
Kettle ;  "  only  we  are  not  much  used  to  consid- 
ering the  winds  in  a  poetical  light,  especially 
when  they  howl  down  the  chimney  winter 
nights." 

"  No,  indeed, "  assented  the  Saucepan,  who 
had  been  thinking  of  a  story  for  some  time.  "  I 
can  tell  you  something  plain  and  homely  enough 
if"  — 

Here  the  Saucepan  paused,  coughed,  and  waited 
to  be  urged. 

The  next  evening  they  were  ready  to  listen, 
and  Saucepan  began  :  — 


GOING  MAYING. 


101 


GOING  MAYING. 


HERE  was  a  general  rising,  as  the  teacher 


dismissed  her  section,  the  pupils  clicking 
desk-lids,  dropping  books,  and  chirping  like  a 
flock  of  busy  swallows,  as  they  rushed  down  the 
broad  stairway  to  the  street.  Among  the  crowd 
were  two  little  girls,  who  presently  detached 
themselves  from  the  rest,  and  entered  the  Com- 
mon, talking  earnestly.  The  smaller  was  listen- 
ing with  an  air  of  grave  attention  to  the  animated 
conversation  of  her  companion. 

"  '  But,  Nellie,'  she  said,  with  a  doubtful  shake 
of  the  head,  as  she  glanced  at  the  bare  branch- 
es of  the  trees,  that  rustled  in  the  breeze  with 
rather  a  wintry  sound,  1 1  think  it  would  be  too 


" c  Too  cold ! '  echoed  Nellie,  tossing  her  head 
contemptuously ;  6  and  pray  did  you  ever  read  of 


cold.: 


102 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


May-day  being  any  thing  but  warm  and  lovely, 
with  wild -flowers,  green  grass,  and  running 
brooks  ?  Nonsense,  you  really  know  nothing 
about  the  matter  here  in  town.' 

"  Finding  that  her  prudent  little  schoolmate 
still  hesitated,  Miss  Nellie  produced  a  brilliant- 
covered  book  from  her  satchel,  which  she  had 
been  perusing  behind  her  grammar  with  great 
relish  that  very  morning,  and  so  dazzled  Bessie's 
eyes  with  a  pictured  May-queen  in  white  muslin 
and  pink  ribbons,  that  all  her  scruples  faded,  and 
she  agreed  to  an  excursion  next  day,  in  honor  of 
the  first  of  May. 

"Accordingly,  at  an  early  hour  on  Saturday, 
without  the  knowledge  or  consent  of  her  parents, 
Bessie  Morton  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Nellie 
Wray,  whom  she  found  in  a  state  of  great  excite- 
ment. With  their  dinner  packed  in  a  basket,  and 
various  extra  receptacles  wherein  to  carry  flowers 
and  other  treasures  they  might  discover,  they  set 
forth  bravely.  At  first  little  Bessie  ventured  to 
suggest  the  propriety  of  taking  the  cars  to  some 
suburban  town,  at  least ;  but  Nellie  scorned  such 
every-day  affairs,  or  she  pretended  to,  although  I 


GOING  MAYING. 


103 


am  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  she  had  not  a 
penny  in  her  pocket  at  the  time,  and  disliked 
owning  to  such  extreme  poverty.  So  they  trudged 
along,  swinging  their  baskets  ;  Nellie  enlivening 
her  friend  by  scraps  of  information  on  the  topic 
of  spring-time,  until  Bessie  was  warmed  to  an 
equal  amount  of  enthusiasm  on  the  subject.  The 
sky  was  clear,  the  sun  shone  brightly  ;  and  what 
matter  if  the  wind  was  a  trifle  frosty,  causing  a 
slight  purple  tinge  in  the  tip  of  their  noses,  so 
long  as  it  was  May-day.  Besides,  in  the  country 
it  would  be  different.  And  without  doubt  it  was. 
As  the  blocks  of  houses  were  succeeded  by  scat- 
tered dwellings,  the  landscape  became  bleak  : 
brown  earth,  sprinkled  here  and  there  with  tufts 
of  grass,  budding  trees,  and  bare  shrubs,  sur- 
rounded by  sombre,  wind-swept  hills,  presented 
a  chilling  disappointment  to  the  children. 

"  Nellie  surveyed  the  scene  rather  blankly  ; 
then  affirmed  that  green  valleys  must  be  farther 
on.  Presently  she  saw  a  little  brook  in  a  distant 
meadow,  and  announced  her  firm  conviction,  that 
upon  its  banks  wild-flowers  grew  in  abundance. 
They  climbed  over  the  fence  after  some  difficulty, 


104 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


and  proceeded  across  the  field,  looking  eagerly 
on  all  sides  for  the  coveted  anemones  and  violets. 
They  did  not  notice  that  at  the  farther  extremity 
of  the  pasture  were  some  horses,  quietly  rubbing 
their  heads  on  the  bars  of  a  gate. 

"  Soon  the  ardent  little  botanists  were  search- 
ing on  the  bank  for  floral  treasures,  and  were 
rewarded  by  a  few  sparse  clumps  of  pale,  frozen- 
looking  violets.  With  an  exclamation  of  triumph, 
Nellie  stooped  to  pluck  one  bunch  ;  while  Bessie, 
no  less  delighted,  pounced  upon  another.  In  the 
midst  of  these  labors,  as  they  chatted  merrily 
over  every  tiny,  dew-tipped  cup  that  reared  its 
fragile  head,  they  were  alarmed  by  a  rumbling 
sound,  that  seemed  to  shake  the  very  earth  under 
their  feet.  Upon  raising  their  heads,  they  dis- 
covered that  the  horses,  with  manes  and  tails 
streaming  on  the  breeze,  were  scampering  over 
the  ground,  with  all  the  graceful  movements  of 
unrestrained  freedom.  A  slender-limbed,  fleet- 
footed  bay  led  the  others  in  circles  around  the 
inclosure,  a  world  of  mischievous  fun  sparkling 
in  his  bright  eye,  as  he  pranced  and  curveted 
along. 


GOING  MAYING. 


105 


"  The  children  clung  together  in  speechless 
dismay,  as  they  saw  the  animals  become  wilder 
with  every  bound,  knowing  their  only  means  of 
escape  was  at  the  wall  where  they  had  entered, 
or  the  opposite  gate.  While  they  were  hesitating 
about  what  course  to  adopt,  the  leader,  for  the 
first  time  apparently,  noticed  them,  and  with  a 
wicked  shake  of  the  head  came  dancing  towards 
them.  Then,  without  losing  a  moment's  time, 
they  fled  across  the  field,  dropping  flowers  and 
gloves  ;  conscious  of  nothing  but  that  the  horses 
were  neighing  and  snorting  close  behind  them, 
and  that  they  must  reach  the  gate  soon,  or  be 
eaten  alive.  Nellie  arriving  at  it  first,  pushed 
through  with  frantic  haste,  just  as  the  bay  thrust 
his  nose  playfully  over  Bessie's  shoulder.  Nellie 
rescued  her  terrified  companion,  by  dragging  her 
over  the  boundary,  and  closing  the  gate  uncere- 
moniously in  their  pursuer's  face.  With  a  low, 
half-apologetical  whinny,  Master  Bay  began  to 
rub  his  head  on  the  bars  again,  as  quietly  as 
when  they  had  first  entered  his  dominions. 

"  Still  panting  with  fright,  the  young  pleasure- 
seekers  next  glanced  about  for  a  means  of  escape 

E* 


106 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


from  present  difficulties ;  only  to  discover  that 
the  narrow  lane  they  had  entered  led  in  quite 
an  opposite  direction  from  the  road  they  had 
left.  What  was  to  be  done  ?  They  never  could 
attempt  passing  those  awful  horses  again,  and 
the  lane  must  lead  out  somewhere,  so  they  would 
explore  it.  They  found  it  turned  into  a  barn- 
yard, which  they  decided  to  cross,  hoping  to  find 
their  way  out  beyond. 

"  The  yard  contained  a  lively  population. 
There  were  waddling  ducks,  with  tufted  feathers 
on  their  heads  ;  there  were  noisy,  cackling  geese, 
strutting  roosters ;  and  several  large  families  of 
pigs,  who  strolled  in  and  out  of  their  houses,  the 
little  pink  ones,  with  their  tails  in  a  very  tight 
curl,  peering  out  from  amid  the  straw  of  their 
beds :  while  pretty,  brown-eyed  calves  lowed  in 
adjoining  sheds  for  their  absent  mothers.  Enter- 
ing the  place,  the  children  cautiously  picked  out 
their  footsteps  around  the  mud  puddles,  until 
they  reached  the  centre,  when  the  ire  of  a  turkey- 
cock  was  excited  by  Nellie's  red  cloak.  His 
angry  note,  as  he  napped  his  wings  defiantly  at 
her,  was  echoed  not  only  by  his  own  family,  but 


GOING  MAYING. 


107 


by  the  whole  goose  and  duck  tribe,  until  there 
was  a  general  clamor  of  indignation  against  the 
intruders. 

"  At  this  juncture,  there  appeared  on  the  scene 
a  choleric  goat,  with  venerable  beard  and  sharplv 
curved  horns,  who,  after  surveying  the  field  of 
action  for  a  time,  advanced  with  bent  head  and 
glowering  visage.  Again  they  were  compelled  to 
take  refuge  in  flight,  —  this  time  entering  a  large 
barn  which  flanked  the  inclosure  on  one  side, 
and  closing  the  door  after  them.  By  this  act 
they  excluded  all  light  from  the  place,  save  where 
a  few  rays  penetrated  the  chinks  of  the  boards, 
throwing  vague,  uncertain  lines  over  the  hay-loft 
and  into  the  darkness  below.  They  groped  about 
the  place  in  search  of  another  door,  but  without 
success ;  then  they  returned  to  the  entrance,  and 
peeped  through  a  hole  in  the  woodwork,  to  see  if 
it  was  possible  to  retrace  their  steps.  The  goat 
I  had  assumed  a  warlike  attitude,  giving  hints  of 
unabated  rancor  by  butting  at  the  closed  door ; 
while  the  turkey-cock  still  puffed  with  rage,  and 
even  the  little  pigs  had  ventured  forth  to  see 
what  was  the  matter. 


108  THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 

"  '  Oh,  dear !  what  shall  we  do  ? '  exclaimed 
Nellie  most  dismally.  '  Will  we  have  to  stay 
here  until  somebody  comes  ?  ' 

" 4  We  must  find  another  door,'  said  Bessie 
resolutely,  as  she  led  her  discouraged  schoolmate 
on  a  second  exploring  expedition.  Finally,  after 
stumbling  down  unexpected  steps,  knocking  their 
heads  against  heavy  beams,  and  sneezing  with 
dust,  they  found  a  small  aperture,  half  choked 
by  rubbish,  through  which  they  crawled  into  a 
shed,  and  so  out  into  a  meadow.  Once  more 
they  clambered  over  a  wall  into  the  main  road, 
somewhat  dilapidated  and  dusty  after  their  ad- 
ventures. 

"  '  0  Nellie  !  your  shoes  are  covered  with  mud, 
your  dress  is  torn,  and  your  face  quite  dirty,' 
cried  Bessie. 

"  4  0  Bessie  !  your  hat  is  crushed  on  one  side, 
and  your  hair  covered  with  hay-seed,'  retorted 
Nellie,  who  could  not  refrain  from  laughing,  as 
she  contemplated  their  sorry  plight. 

"  '  Don't  you  think  we  had  better  go  home  ? ' 
said  Bessie  ruefully,  attempting  to  bend  her 
disabled  hat  into  shape. 


GOING  MAYING. 


109 


" '  Go  home  before  noon,  when  we  have  had 
no  fun  yet  ? '  replied  Nellie,  her  spirits  reviving 
now  that  all  danger  was  past ;  '  oh,  no  !  we  have 
our  dinner  to  eat,  and  lots  of  nice  things  to  do.' 

"  Once  more  yielding  to  her  playmate's  supe- 
rior sagacity,  little  Bessie  trotted  along  cheer- 
fully, until  they  espied  a  fine  rock  on  a  sloping 
hill-side,  which  they  immediately  proposed  con- 
verting into  a  dining-table.  To  reach  the  spot, 
they  were  obliged  to  pass  through  a  piece  of 
rough,  ploughed  ground,  recently  sown,  near  a 
little  cottage,  with  gray,  overhanging  roof,  and 
narrow,  closed  windows. 

"  Spreading  a  napkin  for  table-cloth  on  the 
rock,  they  were  soon  arranging  their  provisions ; 
here  a  sandwich  rested  upon  a  pedestal  of  apple, 
to  prevent  its  tilting  over  a  slice  of  custard  pie  ; 
there  a  small  bottle,  containing  a  mysterious 
fluid,  suggestive  of  weak  molasses  and  water, 
dripped  through  its  broken  cork  into  a  store  of 
pickled  limes.  But  what  matter  if  the  ginger- 
bread did  taste  of  mustard,  or  if  the  chicken  was 
encrusted  with  spilled  sugar,  on  a  first  of  May 
picnic  ? 


110 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  After  surveying  the  result  of  their  labors 
with  great  satisfaction,  they  were  just  preparing 
to  enjoy  the  result,  with  appetites  only  sharp- 
ened by  previous  misfortunes,  when  Bessie's 
attention  was  attracted  by  the  curtain  of  one 
of  the  cottage- windows  being  drawn  aside,  and 
a  head  appearing  behind  the  glass.  It  was 
such  a  hideous  head,  with  tangled  white  hair 
surmounted  by  a  queer  cap,  and  the  face  was  so 
sharp-nosed  and  wrinkled,  that  the  little  girl 
paused,  with  a  chicken  wing  elevated  half-way  to 
her. mouth,  to  stare  at  the  apparition  fixedly. 

"  Nellie,  noticing  her  sudden  silence,  turned 
also ;  and,  when  she  saw  the  face,  gave  a  shriek, 
and  commenced  tumbling  cakes,  pies,  and  pickles 
into  the  basket.  Then  the  head  disappeared  from 
the  window,  and  a  comical  little  old  man,  in  a 
dressing-gown,  popped  out  of  the  door,  like  a  spi- 
der from  its  hole.  He  hobbled  towards  them, 
shaking  his  cane,  and  croaking  like  a  hoarse  old 
raven. 

"  '  Get  out,  will  ye,  a-tramping  of  my  rye,  and 
a-bringing  of  your  traps  under  my  very  nose. 
Hullo,  there!  just  wait  till  I  catch  ye.' 


GOING  MAYING. 


Ill 


"  He  looked  so  wild  and  angry,  as  he  came 
towards  them,  all  the  time  wagging  his  head, 
and  tapping  the  ground  spitefully  with  his  cane, 
that  they  ran  away  across  the  rye  as  fast  as 
ever  they  could ;  the  old  man  shrieking  and 
chattering  after  them  all  the  while,  until  they 
reached  the  wall  and  stumbled  over  into  the  high- 
way, Bessie  still  clutching  her  chicken  wing. 

"  Hurrying  along  as  rapidly  as  possible,  to 
escape  from  their  dreadful  pursuer,  they  came 
to  a  place  of  cross  roads,  and,  puzzled  which 
direction  to  take,  they  decided  on  a  pleasant 
road  turning  to  the  right.  When  they  had  pro- 
ceeded a  short  distance,  they  noticed  a  high  fence 
running  parallel  with  the  road,  in  which  was  a 
door.  Impelled  by  her  usual  heedless  curiosity, 
Nellie  turned  the  knob  and  peeped  into  the 
inclosure.  The  view  of  winding  paths  and 
shrubbery  proved  so  inviting,  that  they  entered. 
They  saw  broad  avenues  bordered  by  rows  of 
fine  elms,  trim  hedges,  and  flower  parterres,  all 
leading  to  a  large  mansion  with  closed  windows 
and  doors,  as  if  nobody  lived  there,  while  a 
dome  of  glittering  glass  conservatories  rose  on 


112 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


one  side.  The  children  strolled  about,  every 
moment  discovering  something  new  to  admire, — 
now  it  was  a  graceful  -  arched  bridge  ;  now  it 
was  a  white  statue  gleaming  through  the  shrub- 
bery ;  now  it  was  a  massive  carved  urn,  filled 
with  hardy,  clinging  ivy  vines. 

"  Seeing  no  one  near,  they  determined  once 
more  to  eat  their  dinner ;  and  so,  selecting  a 
pleasant  bank  for  the  purpose,  were  soon  dis- 
cussing their  good  things. 

"  4  Now  you  will  find  that  May-day  is  nice, 
after  all,'  said  Nellie  triumphantly,  her  mouth 
full  of  cake,  as  she  poured  some  of  the  contents 
of  the  bottle  into  a  cup  the  size  of  a  thimble. 

"  Oh,  false  hope !  There  was  a  crackling  of 
dry  twigs  behind  them,  and,  with  an  alarming 
growl,  a  large,  savage-looking  dog  bounded  di- 
rectly into  their  midst.  To  see  a  huge  black 
nose  appear  over  one's  head,  and  a  double  row 
of  sharp,  white  teeth  displayed  within  a  few 
inches  of  one's  eyes,  is  trying  to  the  courage,  — 
at  least  our  little  friends  found  it  so ;  for  they 
not  only  abandoned  their  baggage  to  the  enemy, 
but  beat  a  hasty  retreat,  Nellie  rushing  wildly 


GOING  MAYING. 


113 


down  one  alley,  while  Bessie  escaped  by  an- 
other. 

"  The  dog,  instead  of  following  them,  began 
to  devour  their  repast,  selecting  such  dainty 
morsels  from  the  debris  as  best  suited  his  pal- 
ate. 

"  Bessie  found  herself,  she  scarcely  knew  how, 
behind  a  summer-house,  where  she  crouched 
trembling  for  a  time,  until,  summoning  courage, 
she  ventured  to  call,  in  a  quavering  little  voice, 
to  her  missing  friend.  Receiving  no  response, 
she  began  a  search,  frightened  that  she  was 
alone.  She  peered  about  on  every  side,  entreat- 
ing Nellie  to  appear,  —  first  from  under  a  bush 
that  would  not  have  concealed  a  cat ;  then  lifting 
a  watering-pot  left  by  the  gardener,  as  though 
she  expected  to  find  her  companion  rolled  in  a 
ball  below  the  spout ;  until,  with  heaving  sobs, 
she  paused  by  a  bridge,  and  made  a  last  desperate 
effort.  This  time  she  heard  a  faint  response,  as 
Nellie  presently  crawled  forth  from  under  an  arch 
of  the  bridge,  sadly  splashed  with  water,  her  hat 
gone,  and  her  ankle  sprained.  What  need  to  tell 
how  they  wandered  through  avenue,  grove,  and 
8 


114 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


by-way,  hopelessly  bewildered  and  lost  ?  —  how, 
utterly  discouraged  and  terrified  at  last,  as  the 
sun  began  to  slant  towards  the  western  horizon, 
they  sat  down  by  the  road-side,  to  indulge  in  a 
flood  of  tears  ? 

"  '  It's  not  a  bit  like  story-books,'  sol  bed  Nel- 
lie. 6 1  am  so  hungry  and  tired  and  cold.  Oh, 
dear ! ' 

"  Just  as  they  were  preparing  to  rouse  them 
selves  to  try  and  find  their  way,  a  gayly  painted 
express  wagon  came  rattling  along  at  a  smart 
pace.  The  good-natured  driver  stopped  readily 
enough  to  answer  their  questions  as  to  the  way 
home  ;  and,  when  he  had  gleaned  a  few  particu- 
lars of  their  story,  he  took  them  into  his  con- 
veyance, and  carried  them  safely  within  the  city 
limits. 

"  When  the  sun  had  set,  and  the  evening 
shadows  fell  cold  and  gray  through  the  narrow 
streets,  two  forlorn  little  forms,  all  travel-stained 
and  weary,  crept  along  to  their  respective  homes  ; 
ready  to  beg  forgiveness  for  their  truancy,  ready 
to  acknowledge  their  folly,  and  nestle  into  their 
soft,  warm  beds,  to  dream  of  the  smiling  wood- 


GOING  MAYING. 


115 


land  or  pleasant  meadows  in  the  story-books' 
first  of  May." 

"  Where  did  you  hear  that  ?  "  asked  the  Spider. 

"  Who  knows  but  I  may  be  an  author,  too  ?  " 
responded  the  Saucepan  airily.  "  Surely  it  is 
my  own  affair." 

"  I  have  been  thinking  of  this  story  for  a 
month,"  said  the  Spider,  in  a  patronizing  tone. 
"  Still  I  am  glad  you  had  the  pleasure  of  tell- 
ing it." 

This  was  malicious  on  the  part  of  the  Spider, 
and  of  course  the  Saucepan  was  in  danger  of 
losing  her  temper  in  consequence.  The  Cater- 
pillar had  by  this  time  recovered  somewhat  from 
his  low  spirits,  and  determined  to  distinguish 
himself,  because  he  feared  they  all  must  consider 
him  a  person  of  inferior  ability.  When  they 
again  met,  the  Cricket  hoped  to  talk  a  little,  as 
he  had  not  had  a  single  opportunity  to  do  so 
since  the  arrival  of  the  three  travellers ;  but  he 
was  again  doomed  to  disappointment. 

"  Allow  me  to  speak,"  said  the  Caterpillar, 
with  a  dignified  manner. 

Then  he  commenced  :  — 


116 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY. 


RANDPAPA  MOUSE  was  quite  an  old  gen- 


tleman at  the  time  of  which  I  write.  He 
and  his  wife  lived  in  a  nice,  large  granary  belong- 
ing to  a  rich  farmer,  which  would  have  made 
them  a  splendid  home,  but  for  one  reason.  Do 
you  know  what  that  was  ?  Why,  they  did  not 
have  to  scamper  all  about  to  find  their  living,  as 
some  mice  do  ;  for  they  had  every  thing  that  was 
good  piled  up  about  them.  They  could  nip  a 
kernel  from  an  ear  of  corn  here,  or  taste  a  bit  of 
barley  there  ;  until  they  were  so  fat  they  hardly 
knew  what  to  do  with  themselves. 

"  Grandpapa  was  taken  with  the  gout,  and  had 
to  sit  all  day  with  one  leg  wrapped  in  a  wisp  of 
hay,  besides  having  to  take  nothing  but  water 
gruel,  which  seemed  to  him  a  very  sad  case  in- 


deed. 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  117 

"  As  for  Grandmamma,  she  was  so  large  round 
the  waist,  her  grandchildren  had  to  nibble  a  hole 
twice  the  usual  size  for  her  to  pass  through,  when 
she  wished  to  take  the  air. 

"  They  were  seated  one  winter's  night  each 
side  of  the  fire,  which  consisted  of  some  shreds 
of  corn-husk  upon  a  pebble,  and  certainly  made 
as  bright  a  blaze  as  need  be.  Grandpapa  was 
feeling  better ;  for  the  mouse  doctor  had  been  to 
see  him  that  day,  and  had  given  him  a  new 
liniment  of  great  virtue.  He  was  whistling  quite 
a  gay  tune,  and  staring  at  the  fire,  when  sudden- 
ly he  exclaimed,  — 

" 6  It  is  almost  Christmas  time,  my  dear.' 

"  Grandmamma  had  been  dozing  over  her  knit- 
ting-work ;  so  she  rubbed  her  eyes,  and  said,  — 

"  <  What  ? ' 

" 4  It  is  almost  Christmas,'  he  repeated  louder, 
for  she  was  a  trifle  deaf.  6  I  heard  the  farmer 
say  so  to-day,  when  he  was  counting  his  turkeys 
out  there.  I  think  we  had  better  give  a  dinner- 
party, and  invite  all  our  children  home.' 

" '  Perhaps  we  had,'  assented  Grandmamma 
with  a  sigh :  she  knew  how  much  work  it  would 


118 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


make.  4  We  have  not  enough  spare  rooms, 
though,  I  am  afraid.' 

" 4  We  can  easily  gnaw  a  few  new  ones,'  said 
Grandpapa  briskly.  4  Let  us  send  our  invita- 
tions by  the  postman  to-morrow.' 

"  So  they  wrote  to  all  their  children ;  and  the 
next  morning  the  little  servant  mouse  had  to 
watch  under  a  bush  until  the  letter-carrier  came. 
Now  this  postman  was  a  snow-bird,  who  had 
promised  always  to  take  messages  for  the  mice, 
if  they  would  steal  him  bits  of  bread  and  cake 
from  the  pantry. 

44  4  If  you  please,  sir,  my  master  has  got  some 
letters  for  you,'  called  the  little  servant,  in  a  wee, 
piping  voice,  for  her  nose  was  getting  cold  out 
of  doors. 

44  4  Put  them  into  my  bag,'  said  the  snow-bird, 
hopping  along  jauntily. 

44  So  the  little  servant  stood  upon  her  hind  legs 
to  place  the  letters  in  the  tiny  bag  which  the 
snow-bird  carried  under  his  left  wing ;  then  she 
threw  her  apron  over  her  head,  and  ran  home. 

44 1  suppose  there  never  was  such  a  sweeping 
and  scratching  and  gnawing  in  any  other  mouse 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  119 

family,  as  went  on  in  this  one  for  the  next  two 
weeks.  All  of  them  worked  so  hard,  making 
new  holes  for  their  expected  guests,  that  the 
little  servant  had  an  attack  of  mumps  at  the  last 
minute,  and  had  to  have  her  head  tied  up  in  a 
rag  of  cobweb. 

"  Christmas  Eve  came  at  last.  Grandpapa  had 
his  coat  of  fur  nicely  brushed,  and  Grandmamma 
wore  a  new  cap  with  a  ruffle  round  it. 

"  Presently  there  sounded  the  patter  of  little 
footsteps,  which  announced  the  arrival  of  the 
eldest  son,  and  his  family  of  six  children.  Grand- 
mamma had  scarcely  kissed  them  all  round,  when 
in  walked  the  eldest  daughter,  with  her  husband 
and  baby.  She  had  only  just  been  shown  to  her 
room  to  take  off  her  bonnet,  when  all  the  rest 
came,  —  a  son  from  the  city  ;  a  daughter  from  the 
next  village ;  and  the  youngest  child,  who  lived 
in  a  distant  town,  and  was  an  old  bachelor. 

"  What  a  time  there  was !  Grandpapa  grew 
quite  hoarse  with  shouting  at  his  different  sons ; 
and  as  for  the  children,  there  were  so  many  of 
them  tumbling  about,  it  is  only  a  wonder  theii 
mothers  ever  could  tell  them  apart. 


120 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  At  last  the  elder  ones  had  their  supper  and 
were  sent  to  bed,  where  they  soon  forgot  every- 
thing in  sound  sleep.  Then  all  the  mothers 
began  to  talk  together  in  one  corner  with  Grand- 
mamma about  their  houses  and  cook-books, 
while  the  gentlemen  discussed  mouse  politics  in 
another.  So  the  evening  passed  away  very  pleas- 
antly ;  and  by  ten  o'clock  they  were  all  asleep, 
too,  except  Grandpapa :  he  was  so  excited,  that 
his  wife  had  to  give  him  a  Dover's  powder  before 
he  could  shut  an  eye. 

"  The  next  morning  the  children  were  awake 
bright  and  early,  wanting  all  sorts  of  things  to 
eat,  and  poking  into  odd  places  where  they  should 
not  have  gone. 

"'0  Grandpapa !  is  there  no  ice  this  morn- 
ing ? '  cried  an  eager  young  mouse  ;  £  I  have  such 
a  prime  pair  of  skates  ! ' 

"  4  Can  you  cut  a  pigeon  wing  backwards  ? ' 
asked  one  of  the  city  cousins.  6  I  will  show  you 
how  to  do  it  in  style.' 

"  4  May  we  go,  too  ? '  urged  all  the  little  mice 
in  chorus. 

"  Grandpapa  consented :  so  the  small  servant 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  121 

went  to  show  them  the  way ;  and  they  soon 
reached  the  pond,  which  was  in  reality  a  frozen 
puddle,  about  twelve  inches  square,  and  very 
smooth,  on  the  edge  of  a  wood. 

"  All  the  country  mice  put  on  their  skates, 
made  of  beech-nuts,  with  crooked  pins  for  run- 
ners, and  began  to  caper  about  in  a  great  way. 
The  vain  young  city  mouse  then  fastened  on  his, 
which  were  tiny  apple-seeds  beautifully  polished, 
and  strapped  with  gray  horse-hairs. 

"  '  See,'  said  he,  '  my  skates  are  rockers  ; '  and 
sure  enough  they  were,  for  he  soon  toppled  over 
backwards,  while  all  the  others  laughed  to  behold 
his  fall.  If  a  cat  had  happened  to  spy  them, 
what  a  dainty  Christmas  dinner  she  might  have 
had  !  But  no  cat  did ;  so  they  had  a  splendid 
time,  and  went  home  as  hungry  as  mice  can  be. 

"  As  for  the  ladies,  they  had  enjoyed  the  quiet 
in-doors  very  much  indeed.  You  must  not  sup- 
pose that  all  the  children  were  able  to  scamper 
out.  There  were  ever  so  many  babies,  that  looked 
just  like  little  bits  of  pink  pigs.  Those  from  the 
city  had  nurses,  but  those  from  the  country  had 
not. 

p 


122 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  '  It  is  time  for  my  baby's  morning  nap,'  said 
the  city  mouse,  looking  at  her  watch.  6  Dear 
me  !  is  there  no  cradle  ? ' 

"  Then  Grandmamma  sent  to  the  lumber  room, 
and  had  one  her  children  once  used  brought  out. 
It  was  half  of  a  peach-pit,  which,  when  lined 
with  soft  paper,  made  an  excellent  bed  for  the 
fretful  baby  mouse. 

"  So  the  day  wore  on,  and  at  last  they  began  to 
get  sniffs  of  nice  things  cooking.  Grandmamma 
bustled  about  with  her  cap-strings  flying,  and 
grew  very  red  in  the  face  from  scolding  the  little 
servant,  who  was  all  the  while  going  the  wrong 
way,  because  she  could  do  nothing  but  stare  at 
the  finery  of  the  nursery  maids. 

"  At  last  dinner  was  quite  ready ;  so  Grand- 
papa took  his  place  at  the  head  of  the  table,  and 
Grandmamma  hers  at  the  foot:  yet  they  could 
see  nothing  but  the  tips  of  each  other's  noses, 
the  pile  of  good  things  was  so  high.  Before  the 
old  gentleman  was  placed  a  dish  of  toasted 
cheese,  that  made  every  mouse  present  smack 
his  lips  with  delight ;  while  before  his  wife  was 
a  fine  large  egg ;  and  the  rest  of  the  table  held 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  123 

bits  of  meat,  cracker,  and  blades  of  wheat.  The 
children  had  a  smaller  table  to  themselves,  with 
just  as  much  to  eat  as  their  parents.  They  be- 
haved pretty  well  at  first,  until  one  roguish  little 
mouse  thrust  his  nose  into  the  cheese,  and  the 
next  one  gave  him  a  push  that  sent  him  sprawl- 
ing across  the  table.  This  made  all  the  others 
frolic,  too,  so  that  the  city  mouse  had  to  come 
and  box  their  ears  all  around. 

"  While  she  was  doing  this,  the  little  servant 
happened  to  come  along,  carrying  a  nut-shell  of 
honey  ;  and  what  did  she  do  but  catch  her  foot 
in  the  beautiful  long  tail  of  the  city  mouse,  and 
spill  the  honey  all  down  her  back.  There  was  a 
regular  uproar  at  this :  the  city  mouse  was  so 
angry,  it  seemed  as  though  she  never  would  take 
any  more  dinner. 

"  Grandpapa  had  been  very  still  all  this  time  : 
he  was  eating  as  if  he  never  expected  to  have 
the  gout  again.  If  his  doctor  had  only  seen 
him,  I  am  sure  I  do  not  know  what  in  the  world 
he  would  have  said. 

"  When  they  had  finished  the  meal,  they  made 
a  circle  around  the  fire ;  and,  the  ladies  not  ob- 


124 


THE  CRICKET  S  FRIENDS. 


jecting,  the  gentlemen  lit  their  cigars,  which 
were  in  reality  straw  tubes. 

" *  I  wish  somebody  would  tell  a  story,'  said  a 
little  lame  mouse,  who  had  been  obliged  to  stay 
in  the  house  all  day,  because  it  could  not  run 
and  jump  like  the  others,  but  had  to  hobble  along 
on  a  crutch  made  of  a  lucifer  match. 

"  6  Yes,  yes,  Grandpapa,  tell  us  a  story,'  cried 
all  the  other  young  mice  in  a  breath. 

"  '  I  don't  know  any  stories,'  said  Grandpapa, 
puffing  away  at  his  straw  cigar.  4  Ask  your 
uncle.' 

"  So  they  began  to  clamor  at  the  bachelor 
uncle,  and  he  finally  consented  to  amuse  them. 
Now,  of  all  the  family,  he  was  the  most  doleful 
mouse  imaginable ;  and  before  he  began  his  story 
Grandmamma  whispered  to  one  of  her  daughters- 
in-law,  that  he  had  been  disappointed  in  love, 
which  accounted  for  his  melancholy.  Whether 
this  was  true  or  not,  I  do  not  know ;  but  he  also 
suffered  from  dyspepsia,  and  that  is  apt  to  make 
one  sad,  it  is  said :  so  perhaps  it  was  his  liver,  and 
not  his  heart,  that  was  affected.  He  now  drew 
his  seat  closer  to  the  fire,  and  began :  — 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  125 

'  I  fear  I  shall  not  be  able  to  tell  you  any  thing 
very  wonderful :  still  I  can  give  you  some  descrip- 
tion of  my  own  life  since  I  left  home  ;  and,  when 
I  have  finished,  I  hope  some  of  my  brothers  and 
sisters  will  also  tell  us  what  they  have  been  about. 
When  I  was  a  young  mouse,  my  health  was  very 
delicate :  the  doctor  feared  a  throat  affection,  so 
I  decided  to  go  farther  south  for  change  of  air. 
There  was  no  need  for  me  to  settle  anywhere :  I 
was  not  a  marrying  mouse.  [Here  Grandmamma 
nodded  and  winked,  as  much  as  to  say,  "  I  told 
you  so."] 

"  '  Ordinary  society  did  not  suit  me  at  all :  to 
hear  a  mouse  talk  of  nothing  but  his  dinner, 
seemed  very  tame.  That  reminds  me  it  is  time 
to  take  my  medicine,  two  hours  after  eating. 
Dear,  dear,  I  nearly  forgot ! ' 

"  The  bachelor  unfastened  a  bit  of  goose  quill, 
corked  at  both  ends,  that  was  hung  about  his 
neck  with  a  string,  and  took  a  pill  from  it.  He 
then  resumed  his  story :  — 

" i  I  journeyed  on  in  frequent  danger,  until  I 
reached  the  handsome  town  where  I  now  live. 
I  had  to  cross  a  broad  beach,  and  saw  the  ocean 


126 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


rolling  in  great  waves  of  foam,  before  I  came  to 
the  houses.  It  was  night,  and  the  stars  shone 
brightly  overhead ;  but  I  was  so  tired  with  my 
day's  tramp,  that  I  crawled  into  a  stone  wall,  to 
rest.  I  was  soon  disturbed  by  a  squirrel's  scram- 
bling in  after  me. 

"  6  "  Good  evening,  sir,"  I  said  ;  for  my  mother 
had  always  taught  me  to  be  especially  polite  to 
strangers.  "  Will  you  tell  me  where  I  can  find 
a  night's  lodging  ?  " 

"  4  "  Do  you  like  gay  company  ?  "  replied  the 
squirrel,  peering  at  me  with  his  bright  eyes. 

" ' "  I  like  grave  people  better." 

a  <  u  Why,  then,  I  know  the  very  place,"  cried 
he.  "  Go  to  the  town  library,  where  you  can  find 
a  set  of  students." 

" 6 1  thanked  him,  and  went  on  until  I  arrived 
at  the  library,  where  I  was  received  most  cour- 
teously by  the  society  of  literary  mice,  to  which  I 
now  belong.  Perhaps  you  may  have  noticed  the 
leather  medal  I  wear  upon  my  left  shoulder. 
Never  shall  I  forget  their  kindness  that  night. 
They  first  inquired  if  I  was  married,  because  they 
did  not  admit  such  parties ;  and  when  I  satisfied 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  127 

them  I  was  not,  they  at  once  gave  me  the  hole 
recently  occupied  by  a  brother,  who  had  died  of 
brain  fever,  brought  on  by  overwork. 

"  6  What  a  delightful  time  we  have  of  it  there  ! 
We  spend  the  day  getting  in  stores  of  provisions, 
strolling  about  out  of  doors,  or  taking  a  nap ; 
then  when  evening  comes,  and  the  old  librarian 
places  all  the  books  in  order  before  going  home, 
we  begin  to  scamper  about,  having  the  place  all 
to  ourselves. 

" 6  Our  president  (he  has  nibbled  more  books 
than  any  of  us,  and  that  is  why  we  elected  him) 
calls  us  about  him  after  a  while,  and  asks  what 
we  have  seen  that  is  interesting  or  new.  This 
is  a  most  agreeable  arrangement ;  since  one  of  us 
is  always  appointed  to  be  about  the  library  dur- 
ing the  day,  to  hear  what  the  people  may  say 
there.  I  have  been  particularly  useful  in  this 
way,  and  that  is  one  reason  I  am  so  much  of  a 
favorite. 

" '  One  thing  troubles  me  greatly  at  present, 
so  that  I  must  make  off  home  again  as  soon 
as  ever  I  can:  I  left  the  whole  of  the  society 
in  such  a  state  of  mind  over  it,  that  they  were 


128 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


not  going  to  allow  themselves  any  Christmas 
dinner. ' 

"  *  Pray  what  is  the  important  question  ? '  in- 
quired Grandpapa. 

"  *  Why,  about  a  month  ago,'  replied  the  bache- 
lor, warming  one  foot  at  the  blaze,  i  it  was  my 
turn  to  visit  the  reading-room.  I  had  crept 
around  very  quietly  for  some  time,  hearing  old 
gentlemen  talk  over  their  newspapers,  or  watch- 
ing ladies  rustle  in  and  out,  when  a  young  man 
and  a  little  girl  came  in.  With  them  was  a  tan 
terrier,  which  began  to  trot  around,  snuffing  such 
mischief  as  he  might,  when  he  suddenly  spied 
me  seated  at  my  ease  upon  a  large  book,  and 
leaped  up  at  me,  barking  furiously.  If  the  young 
man  had  not  seized  him  by  the  collar,  I  do  not 
know  what  would  have  become  of  me.  As  it 
was,  there  he  sat  under  his  master's  chair,  wink- 
ing, and  ready  to  eat  me  alive  any  minute. 

" 6  The  little  girl  kept  asking  her  brother 
strange  questions  about  different  things,  until  he 
said, — 

" 6 "  Did  you  know,  Mimi,  that  the  moon  is 
made  of  green  cheese  ? " 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  129 


"  4  She  said,  "  No." 

"  4  44  It  is,"  he  continued.  "  The  wise  men  that 
study  the  stars  have  just  found  it  out." 

" 4  I  pricked  up  my  ears  at  this,  and  as  I  had 
a  chance  soon  after  to  make  my  escape,  I  did 
so.' 

"  4  What ! '  exclaimed  the  whole  mouse  family. 
4  Is  the  moon  nothing  but  a  big  slice  of  cheese, 
then  ? ' 

"  c  Do  you  believe  it,  my  son  ?  '  inquired  Grand- 
papa, rubbing  his  nose  with  a  puzzled  air. 

"  4  Dear  me,  dear  me  ! '  sighed  Grandmamma, 
wiping  her  spectacles,  4  what  next  ? ' 

44  4  I  don't  know  what  to  believe,'  continued 
the  bachelor.  4 1  told  the  others  of  it  that  night, 
and  I  do  not  believe  the  president  has  slept  a 
wink  since.  We  have  searched  everywhere  to 
learn  if  it  is  really  true ;  we  have  set  an  extra 
watch  of  four  to  listen  in  the  library ;  and  if  they 
have  not  found  out  something  when  I  go  back, 
I,  for  one,  shall  start  direct  for  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, to  settle  the  matter. 

44  4  Now,  you  see,  if  the  moon  is  really  made  of 
green  cheese,'  he  added,  shaking  his  head  wisely, 
p*  9 


130 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


6 1  should  suppose  it  would  have  been  eaten  up 
long  ago.' 

"  Here  he  stopped  suddenly.  Every  one  of 
his  nephews  and  nieces  had  fallen  asleep,  some 
in  their  mothers'  laps,  and  others  huddled  to- 
gether in  little  balls  upon  the  floor.  A  great 
deal  they  cared  about  the  moon ! 

"  The  lame  mouse,  however,  had  listened  to 
every  word  with  bright  eyes,  and  this  pleased 
the  bachelor  so  much,  that  he  patted  her  upon 
the  head,  saying, — 

" 6  You  are  a  good  child,  my  dear  ;  I  shall 
leave  you  something  in  my  will.' 

"  The  others  were  then  roused  up,  and  trun- 
dled off  to  bed;  but  they  were  so  sleepy  they 
did  not  once  think  to  ask  their  uncle's  par- 
don. 

" 4  I've  been  thinking,'  said  Grandpapa,  '  of 
the  time  when  my  gray  cousin  and  I  made  a  trip 
together.  We  were  both  very  gay,  and  one  hot 
summer  morning  he  said  to  me, — 

«  <  «  Every  one  is  bound  to  the  mountains :  let 
us  go,  too." 

" ' "  But,"  said  I,  "  you  know  my  father  is 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  131 


away  on  business,  and  I  am  the  eldest  son,  left 
in  charge  of  the  family." 

ti  t  «  Never  mind,"  rejoined  he,  "  we  can  have 
such  splendid  fun  !  " 

"  6  Well,  we  ran  away  from  home  (my  cousin 
lived  with  us,  as  he  had  been  left  an  orphan  at 
a  tender  age).  We  travelled  along  bravely  for  a 
time,  although  the  sun  was  dreadfully  hot  upon 
our  backs.' 

"  ' "  Oh,  dear !  "  I  panted,  "  I  never  was  so 
warm  in  my  life." 

ttt  tt  What  is  easier  than  to  carry  an  umbrella, 
then  ?  "  suggested  my  companion  ;  and  with  that 
he  nibbled  the  stems  of  two  toad-stools  until 
they  separated,  and  carrying  one  above  his  own 
head,  gave  me  the  other.  This  was  a  delightful 
change,  for  the  toadstools  spread  so  as  to  shelter 
our  faces  from  the  sun.  We  trotted  along  com- 
fortably after  this,  and  finally  came  to  the  brink 
of  a  brook,  where  we  paused,  because  we  did  notf 
know  how  to  get  across. 

u  < « rj^g  m0untains  look  such  a  little  way 
off,"  said  my  cousin  dismally ;  yet  the  brook  still 
whirled  on,  seeming  to  laugh  at  our  discomfiture. 


132 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


" ' "  I  believe  we  could  skip  from  stone  to 
stone,"  urged  the  gray  mouse,  who  was  deter- 
mined not  to  turn  back,  if  he  could  possibly 
help  it. 

"  '  So  I  tried  the  bits  of  stone  for  some  dis- 
tance ;  and  then  I  found  myself  away  out  where 
the  water  was  ever  so  deep,  and  I  was  seized 
with  fright,  not  daring  to  move  an  inch  either 
way,  but  clinging  to  the  wet,  slimy  rock.  Pres- 
ently a  beautiful  trout  came  swimming  towards 
me,  its  sides  all  clothed  in  variegated  scales,  and 
its  handsome  eyes  sparkling  with  fun. 

mu  What  is  the  matter  ;  are  you  sea-sick  ?  " 
laughed  the  trout,  splashing  the  foam  from  its 
tail  in  my  face. 

" 4 "  Oh !  don't,  if  you  please,  I  am  so  giddy 
now,"  I  cried,  and  then  tumbled  headlong  into 
the  water. 

"  '  Ugh  !  what  a  cold  bath  that  was  :  it  makes 
me  shiver  only  to  think  of  it.  The  wicked  fish 
took  me  on  his  back,  and  gave  me  such  a  sail  as 
I  hope  I  may  never  have  again  in  this  world. 
It  went  up  and  down,  and  up  and  down  again, 
approaching  the  shore  occasionally  only  to  dart 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  133 

off  for  a  fresh  trip,  until  I  fairly  squealed  with 
fright,  clasping  its  slippery  back  the  while.  At 
last  it  flung  me  off,  and  I  landed  by  my  cousin, 
who  did  nothing  but  laugh  at  me.  I  was  very 
cross  by  this  time  ;  so,  after  trying  to  dry  myself 
upon  some  blades  of  grass,  I  determined  to  re- 
turn home.  Just  then  a  fat  old  bull-frog  paddled 
lazily  towards  the  bank. 

Will  you  carry  us  across  the  brook ? " 
inquired  my  cousin  eagerly. 

" 6 "  How  much  do  you  weigh  ?  "  asked  the 
bull-frog,  winking  slowly. 

"  '  "  Just  take  up  this  fellow,  and  see."  He 
then  lifted  me  upon  the  bull-frog's  back,  who 
carried  me  safely  across  before  I  could  say  a 
single  word.  Afterward  he  brought  my  cousin 
over  also,  and  we  were  able  to  resume  our 
journey. 

"  1  Fortunately  we  overtook  a  field  mouse  soon 
after,  who  invited  us  to  visit  his  family  in  the 
stump  of  a  tree,  which  we  were  glad  enough  to 
do,  as  we  were  both  hungry  and  tired.  That  night 
I  was  very  ill  with  chills  and  fever,  —  probably 
owing  to  the  cold  bath  I  had  taken ;  and  the 


134  the  cricket's  friends. 

field  mice  had  to  give  me  a  dose  of  some  kind 
of  bark  that  they  always  kept  in  the  house,  as 
they  lived  in  a  swampy  region,  which  made  me 
better.  They  none  of  them  thought  I  could  go 
on  the  next  morning ;  and,  as  the  gray  mouse 
was  so  anxious  to  climb  the  mountains,  I  pro- 
posed his  starting  without  me.  This  he  con- 
sented to  do,  when  one  of  the  young  field  mice 
offered  to  be  his  guide  ;  and  if  I  felt  well  enough, 
I  was  to  join  them  after  a  while.  I  had  a  very 
nice  visit,  indeed :  the  field  mice  were  so  hospita- 
ble and  kind.  I  spent  most  of  my  time  in  the 
house  with  the  ladies,  and  the  eldest  daughter 
was  —  who  do  you  think  ?  Why,  your  mother, 
of  course ;  and  a  prettier  young  mouse  I  never 
saw.' 

" 1  Don't  be  foolish,'  interrupted  Grand- 
mamma. 

" 6  Yes ;  but  you  were  just  as  pretty  as  ever 
you  could  be,'  urged  Grandpapa,  politely. 

" 6 1  know  I  was  considered  the  belle  of  our 
society ; '  and  Grandmamma  tossed  her  head 
when  she  thought  of  the  admirers  of  her  youth. 

" '  I  concluded  I  would  not  join  my  cousin  at 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  135 

all,'  went  on  Grandpapa  ;  '  but  this  I  was  finally 
obliged  to  do,  for  days  passed  on  and  they  did 
not  return.  At  this  we  all  began  to  look  grave  ; 
so  the  father  field-mouse  told  me  that  he  was 
afraid  something  had  happened,  and  he  thought 
we  had  better  search  for  them.  We  made  a 
party  of  eight,  and  set  out  towards  the  moun- 
tains, anticipating  something  dreadful  must  have 
befallen  the  travellers.  Ah,  what  a  time  we 
had! 

" 6  We  came  to  a  place  where  the  rock  rose 
so  steep  and  straight  before  us,  that  I  did  not 
consider  it  possible  to  climb  it.  What  do  you 
suppose  we  did  ?  We  tied  ourselves  together,  as 
travellers  do  when  ascending  the  Alps  in  Switz- 
erland, although  not  with  such  ropes  as  they 
use  ;  we  fastened  the  tips  of  our  tails  together 
with  bits  of  grass,  then  marched  along  side  by 
side.  This  was  an  excellent  arrangement,  as  we 
afterwards  found ;  for  at  one  time  they  all  slipped, 
obliging  me  to  bear  their  weight  upon  my  tail. 
It  was  a  terrible  moment:  I  feared  it  would 
break,  or  be  pulled  out  from  the  roots  entirely ! 

" '  At  last  we  reached  a  shelf  of  rock  where 


136 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


we  could  rest  awhile.  The  view  from  this  place 
was  splendid.  The  valleys  lay  below  blooming 
with  verdure,  many-colored  flowers,  and  golden 
grain  almost  ready  for  the  harvest ;  the  rivers 
sparkled  under  the  clear  sunlight  in  silvery 
threads ;  and  of  the  towns  scattered  along  the 
the  hillside  as  far  as  I  could  see,  the  church  stee- 
ples looked  like  mere  arrowy  spikes.  When  I 
gazed  down  upon  this  beautiful  smiling  earth, 
and  up  at  the  blue  sky  where  the  soft  white 
clouds  were  floating  idly  along,  it  seemed  to 
me  very  wonderful  that  the  good  God,  who 
had  made  such  grand  things,  had  made  also 
little  me. 

"  6  We  climbed  up  and  up  for  several  days,  fol- 
lowing footprints  that  were  certainly  those  of 
mice ;  and  we  hoped  belonged  to  our  friends. 
At  last,  even  such  traces  ceased ;  and  we  were 
fairly  at  our  wits'  end,  when  we  heard  faint 
sounds  behind  a  large  leaf.  Peering  cautiously 
around  the  corner,  we  saw  the  gray  mouse  and 
his  companion  stretched  upon  a  bed  of  moss, 
groaning  in  the  most  dismal  manner.  They 
were  overjoyed  to  see  us  again,  for  they  had 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  137 

supposed  they  must  die  up  there  alone.  My 
cousin  had  slipped,  and  sprained  his  ankle  terri- 
bly ;  while  the  field-mouse  had  lost  his  balance, 
in  trying  to  assist  him,  and  fallen  down  a  preci- 
pice some  twenty  inches  high,  thus  injuring  his 
spine.  It  was  all  very  well  having  found  them  ; 
but  how  were  we  to  get  them  away,  when  neither 
of  them  could  move  a  step  ?  We  sat  for  a  long 
time  looking  at  each  other  in  doubt,  and  then  a 
bright  idea  struck  me. 

We  can  braid  this  sword-grass  together, 
and  lower  them  down  by  it,"  I  said. 

"  '  We  soon  joined  a  quantity  in  this  way,  then 
fastened  one  end  about  the  waist  of  my  cousin, 
and  let  him  down  to  the  next  ledge.  In  this  way 
we  got  them  both  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain. 
Now  it  remained  to  carry  them  across  the  coun- 
try ;  so  we  tore  a  mullein  leaf  in  two  halves,  and, 
placing  the  pieces  upon  birch  twigs,  formed  ex- 
cellent litters  for  our  invalids.  We  reached  the 
stump  of  the  field-mice  again,  after  an  absence 
of  a  month.  The  surgeon  mended  my  cousin's 
ankle,  which  was  broken ;  and,  as  for  the  young 
field-mouse,  I  am  told  he  has  not  known  what  it 
was  to  feel  well  a  day  since. 


138 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  6  During  the  period  that  we  remained,  I  made 
a  proposal  of  marriage  to  your  mother,  and  was 
accepted ;  so,  with  the  understanding  that  I 
should  return  in  the  spring,  we  finally  started 
home.  My  mother  forgot  to  scold  us,  she  was 
so  frightened  by  our  long  absence.  Besides,  she 
received  very  sad  news  just  at  this  time.  My 
father,  who  was  away  on  business,  as  I  have  said, 
was  taken  with  the  cholera  suddenly,  after  eating 
a  late  supper  of  bacon  rinds,  and  died.  I  tried 
to  be  a  good  son  ever  after,'  concluded  he,  wiping 
a  tear  from  his  left  eye,  '  although  if  I  had  not 
been  naughty  this  time,  I  should  never  have 
known  your  mother.' 

"  '  For  my  part,'  remarked  the  city  mouse,  4 1 
have  had  rather  a  tough  time  of  it  so  far.  Now, 
indeed,  I  .enjoy  my  ease ;  but,  as  I  have  said,  it 
has  been  hardly  earned.  My  desire  in  going  to 
town  was,  first,  to  learn  something  of  life,  and 
then  aspire  to  belonging  to  the  class  of  business 
mice,  which  seemed  to  me  the  most  enviable  lot 
imaginable.  I  was  very  near  losing  sight  of  this 
aim  once ;  still  I  persevered,  until  now  I  am 
reckoned  among  the  most  influential  people. 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  139 

When  I  began  my  career,  I  was  extremely  gay ; 
that  is,  I  enjoyed  the  company  of  a  number  of 
other  young  mice,  who  did  nothing  but  frolic 
the  whole  day.  I  might  have  kept  on  in  this 
way  for  any  length  of  time,  had  I  not  been  sud- 
denly checked. 

"  '  I  was  invited  to  a  ball  given  by  a  wealthy 
mouse  at  his  country  residence,  which  was  located 
in  a  nook  of  the  wall  of  an  ice-house.  It  was 
really  the  finest  place  for  the  time  of  year  I  ever 
visited,  and  the  wealthy  mouse  had  spared  no 
expense  in  fitting  it  up  nicely.  The  coolness  of 
the  house  was  so  refreshing  in  the  sultry  heat 
of  July ;  for,  if  one  was  too  hot,  all  one  had  to 
do  was  to  skip  down  where  the  great  blocks  of  ice 
were  piled,  and  soon  get  cooled  off  again.  Well, 
we  were  all  to  attend  the  silver  wedding  of  the 
old  couple.  The  young  mice  had  the  greatest 
time  at  the  tailor's,  wondering  what  to  wear ;  for 
we  were  expected  to  assume  the  character  of 
some  distinguished  person,  as  it  was  to  be  a 
fancy  masquerade.  I  thought  the  tailor  would 
have  been  crazed  with  getting  our  costumes 
made,  we  altered  our  minds  so  often ;  but,  finally, 


9 

140  THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 

all  was  ready,  and,  with  our  dresses  wrapped  in 
brown  paper,  we  started. 

"  '  At  the  entrance  door, —  a  crack  in  the 
stonework,  —  we  were  shown  by  two  waiters,  in 
white  jackets  and  aprons,  to  the  dressing-room, 
where  any  number  of  guests  were  tying  on  their 
masks,  made  of  scraps  of  various  colored  silks, 
that  certainly  had  a  very  stylish  appearance.  The 
reception  rooms  below  were  truly  magnificent. 
The  walls  were  hung  with  strips  of  red  and  blue 
paper,  gnawed  into  all  manner  of  fanciful  shapes, 
while  a  row  of  glow-worms,  placed  at  intervals, 
lit  up  the  place  in  the  most  beautiful  way.  At 
one  end  of  the  room  stood  the  host  and  hostess 
upon  a  platform  an  inch  high  (she  wearing  her 
wedding-dress  of  lily  leaves,  which  had  a  very 
old-fashioned  effect,  because  every  one  wears 
swan's-down  nowadays),  to  receive  the  company, 
who  marched  up  to  make  a  bow,  each  in  turn. 
I  represented  Bluebeard,  with  a  green  turban 
round  my  head,  a  red  sash  with  a  dagger  of  a 
rose-thorn,  and  a  pair  of  yellow  Turkish  trousers. 
This  was  all  very  elegant ;  but  I  found  I  could  not 
dance  the  polka  very  well,  I  was  so  much  bundled 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  141 

up.  A  friend  of  mine  was  dressed  in  a  long- 
tailed  coat  of  scarlet  plush,  with  gold  knee- 
breeches  ;  another  had  on  for  armor  half  of  a 
nutmeg-grater,  with  a  tin  shield  made  of  the  top 
of  a  spice-box,  and  a  thistle-cup  for  helmet. 

"  6  As  for  the  ladies'  toilets,  I  cannot  begin 
to  describe  them,  there  was  such  a  variety  of 
beauty  and  elegance.  One  lady's  costume  I  re- 
member especially,  however :  it  was  so  very 
dainty.  She  was  equipped  as  a  flower-girl,  with 
a  short  dress  of  sea-lettuce,  looped  by  tufts  of 
dandelion  down  ;  she  wore  pink  slippers,  laced 
across  the  instep,  a  bodice  of  wasp-wings,  and 
a  hat  made  of  a  silver  three -cent  piece,  orna- 
mented by  a  flower  in  the  side.  I  danced  with 
this  lady  a  great  many  times,  although,  as  she 
was  masked,  I  could  not  see  her  face  at  all ;  and 
we  became  quite  well  acquainted.  The  dancing- 
room  grew  very  hot ;  and  the  band  played  splen- 
didly (they  were  katydids,  and  worked  so  hard 
with  their  fiddles,  it  is  only  a  wonder  their  legs 
were  not  worn  out  entirely),  when  I  proposed 
to  the  young  lady -mouse  to  take  a  walk  in 
the  moonlight.    We  found  a  good  many  others 


142 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


strolling  along  arm  in  arm ;  and  she  had  just 
consented  to  give  me  a  whisker  (as  mortals  would 
exchange  a  lock  of  hair),  when  we  heard  a  shrill 
voice  behind  us  in  the  distance. 

"  4  "  Oh,  that  is  my  grandmother  !  "  exclaimed 
my  lovely  companion  in  a  whisper,  and  then  she 
fainted  away. 

"  £  The  grandmother  hobbled  up,  and  she  was 
certainly  the  ugliest  little  old  mouse  I  ever  saw 
in  my  life.  Her  nose  was  very  long,  she  wore 
green  spectacles,  and  used  a  cane  in  walking. 
When  she  beheld  the  insensible  form  of  her 
grand-daughter,  she  fairly  shook  her  cane  at 
me. 

What  do  you  mean  ? "  she  said  in  a 
hoarse,  croaking  voice.  "  I  came  to  the  ball  to 
watch  this  young  mouse ;  and  now  you  have 
skipped  out  into  the  moonlight  to  take  cold, 
have  you  ? " 

" '  She  attempted  to  box  my  ears,  while  I  tried 
to  dodge  her  sharp  claws ;  and,  in  so  doing,  the 
fair  young  mouse  fell  to  the  ground,  thus  ruining 
her  pretty  hat.  The  grandmother  screamed  with 
rage  to  see  so  nice  a  costume  spoiled,  and  this 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  143 

sent  all  the  guests  out  to  find  what  was  the 
matter.  The  noise  brought  still  another  guest 
to  the  scene  that  we  did  not  expect :  a  great 
cat,  with  eyes  like  green  fire,  came  creeping 
through  the  grass  ;  but  we  never  noticed  her,  we 
were  so  busy  bickering  and  quarrelling  among 
ourselves. 

"  i  Suddenly  she  gave  a  pounce  into  our  midst ; 
and  we  all  ran  for  our  lives,  tearing  our  dresses, 
losing  caps  and  shoes,  tumbling  over  each  other, 
until  we  arrived  breathless  under  shelter.  We 
then  began  to  count  our  number,  and  found  that 
the  poor  flower-girl  mouse  was  missing.  I  peeped 
out  of  the  crack  fearfully,  and  sure  enough  the 
horrible  cat  was  stepping  away  lightly  with  our 
poor  companion  in  her  cruel  mouth. 

"  '  Of  course  the  ball  was  closed  after  this 
dreadful  accident;  and  as  for  the  grandmother, 
I  have  heard  she  was  crazy  afterward,  so  that 
she  had  to  be  confined  in  an  egg-shell  with  wire 
bars  at  the  entrance.  This  event  sobered  me 
very  much.  I  began  to  think  that  there  was 
something  more  to  be  done  in  the  world  than 
frisk  about  and  dress  finely. 


144 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


" c  When  I  returned  to  the  city,  I  went  to  a 
merchant  mouse  of  great  reputation  to  seek  em- 
ployment. After  some  delay,  I  was  shown  into 
his  counting-room  (behind  the  fireplace  of  a 
lawyer's  office),  where  I  found  him,  as  was  to  be 
expected,  busily  engaged  at  his  desk.  I  told  him 
I  should  like  to  be  appointed  one  of  his  clerks,  as 
I  hoped  to  rise,  like  himself,  to  the  rank  of  wealth 
and  importance.  He  put  his  pen  behind  his  ear, 
—  it  was  the  pin-feather  of  a  bird,  —  and  smiled 
rather  grimly,  as  though  he  fancied  a  good  many 
mice  would  enjoy  growing  as  great  as  he  had. 
The  salary  I  should  receive  was  very  small,  he 
told  me,  and  I  would  have  to  work  very  hard  for 
it ;  still  I  was  not  discouraged  by  all  this,  so  the 
next  morning  I  entered  his  store. 

"  '  He  was  one  of  the  most  influential  provision 
mice  in  the  city,  doing  a  large  wholesale  business 
with  other  cities,  and  the  country  as  well.  I 
belonged  at  first  to  the  number  of  young  clerks 
whose  duty  it  was  to  go  about  the  streets  and 
houses  with  bags,  like  rag-pickers,  to  find  odd 
scraps  of  bread,  cheese,  sugar,  nuts,  raisins,  and 
starch,  which  we  brought  to  the  warehouse,  where 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  145 


they  were  taken  in  charge  by  other  clerks,  who 
packed  them  to  be  carried  away,  or  sold  them  in 
piles  at  a  time. 

" '  It  was  terribly  fatiguing,  for  we  were  ex- 
pected to  bring  a  full  bag  always  by  nightfall ; 
but  I  determined  to  be  industrious ;  so  I  perse- 
vered, although  the  time  seeemed  so  long  before  I 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  clerk  in  the  receiving 
department.  From  this  I  have  progressed  slowly 
enough,  yet  I  have  gained  much  knowledge.  Dear 
me  !  I  could  tell  you  where  a  crumb  of  cheese 
came  from  in  the  dark.  Now  I  am  the  head  of 
the  house ;  for  my  employer  has  retired  from 
business,  leaving  me  in  charge.  I  have  also 
married  his  only  daughter,'  said  the  city  mouse, 
with  a  proud  air. 

'"Iam  glad  you  have  succeeded ; '  commented 
Grandpapa  kindly ;  '  only  be  careful  that  pros- 
perity does  not  make  you  arrogant,  as  it  is  apt 
to. 

"  *  Now,  my  dear  daughter ; '  he  added,  turning 
to  the  mouse  who  had  arrived  second  on  Christ- 
mas Eve,  '  what  have  you  been  doing  this  long 
time?' 

G  10 


146 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


" e  I  went  to  visit  my  cousin,  as  you  will  doubt- 
fess  remember.  She  is  a  great  matchmaker,  and 
perhaps  you  knew  that  when  you  sent  me  to  her ; 
for  I  was  then  quite  mature  in  age,  and  did  not 
inherit  any  of  my  mother's  beauty,  besides.  Well, 
she  found  me  plenty  of  suitors,  and  before  long  I 
married.  I  enjoyed  life  very  much  at  first ;  but 
sorrows  in  plenty  awaited  me,'  sighed  the  daugh- 
ter, arranging  her  crape  head-dress. 

"  6 1  had  four  beautiful  children ;  and  my  pride 
in  them  was  so  great  that  I  decided  to  take  them 
to  the  mouse  fair,  where  prizes  were  to  be  given 
to  the  handsomest  babies.  The  mice  were  flock- 
ing from  all  quarters  to  this  splendid  exhibition, 
which  was  given  in  order  to  raise  funds  for  an 
orphan  asylum  that  was  much  needed  in  the 
region. 

" 4  The  place  selected  was  under  a  rock  on  the 
margin  of  a  wood.  The  tent  was  made  of  rags 
joined  together  ;  and  at  the  entrance  we  all  paid 
the  admittance  fee,  —  a  kernel  of  corn,  which  was 
to  go  towards  the  fund.  The  collection  within 
was  very  fine.  There  were  a  few  grains  of  maize 
brought  all  the  way  from  Egypt  at  immense 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  147 

expense.  There  was  a  portrait  of  one  of  our 
distinguished  ancestors,  painted  in  brickdust  by 
a  young  mouse  artist  of  great  talent ;  there  was  a 
scrap  of  bacon  sent  from  England ;  and  there 
were  two  whole  figs  given  to  the  fair  by  a  wealthy 
mouse  of  high  rank.  There  were  also  a  number 
of  articles  to  be  sold  by  lottery;  a  work-box 
formed  of  a  filbert  hollowed  out,  and  lined  with 
moss,  besides  being  fitted  up  with  needles  and 
scissors  of  fish-bone ;  a  pony  carriage  made  of  a 
scallop  shell  upon  spool  wheels,  the  most  luxuri- 
ous thing  to  drive  in  I  ever  beheld ;  a  candle- 
stick of  brown  sugar,  beautifully  nibbled  into 
filigree  work  by  a  blind  mouse  of  large  experi- 
ence ;  and  a  blanket  composed  of  a  sheep's  tail, 
embroidered  with  cat-whiskers. 

"  6  These  are  a  few  of  the  things  I  remember, 
because  I  nearly  ruined  my  husband  by  taking 
shares  in  them  all ;  and  I  actually  drew  nothing, 
so  all  that  money,  or  corn  rather,  was  lost. 

" 6  Behind  the  tables  stood  rows  of  young  lady- 
mice,  all  dressed  alike,  with  buttercup  caps  upon 
their  heads,  and  wearing  aprons,  the  pockets 
trimmed  with  gold  thread.    This  gave  them  a 


148 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


very  pretty  appearance ;  and  they  sold  much  more 
among  the  gentlemen  mice  than  they  would  have 
done,  had  they  been  more  plainly  dressed. 

"  '  At  last  it  was  time  for  the  prizes  to  be  given 
to  the  finest  children ;  and  the  committee  of  ten 
old  mice,  who  were  to  decide  the  important  ques- 
tion took  their  places,  and  all  mothers  were  told 
to  come  forward.  How  lovely  my  dear  babies  did 
look  !  They  never  cried,  or  crumpled  their  little 
white  bibs  in  the  least ;  and  I  felt  so  proud  of 
them  I  could  hardly  stand. 

"  '  Well,  they  took  all  the  prizes :  one  for  his 
large  weight,  one  for  the  size  of  his  nose,  which 
was  very  remarkable  for  his  age  ;  one  for  the 
smallness  of  his  feet ;  and  the  last  for  the  great 
length  of  his  tail.  Oh !  the  other  mothers  were 
so  enraged  and  jealous,  I  was  afraid  they  would 
tear  my  eyes  out.' 

"  Here  the  daughter  mouse  began  to  sob  and 
cry,  while  all  of  the  family  tried  to  comfort  her. 

"  '  I  will  tell  the  rest :  she  will  not  be  able,' 
piped  her  husband,  holding  a  smelling-bottle  to 
her  nose. 

"  <  No,  no,'  she  said  in  a  faint  voice,  while 
Grandmamma  fanned  her :  6 1  will  finish. 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  149 


"<  We  started  home  again  with  the  little  dears, 
and  on  our  way  paused  to  rest  for  the  purpose 
of  eating  a  few  wild  berries  in  the  wood,  as  a 
luncheon,  leaving  our  nurse  at  some  little  dis- 
tance in  charge  of  the  children.  We  were  startled 
by  a  sudden  squeal,  and  beheld  the  nurse  trotting 
towards  us,  her  eyes  wild  with  fright. 

a  at  Where  are  the  babies  ?  "  I  shrieked  in 
terror. 

"  6  Alas  !  I  soon  discovered  what  a  misfortune 
had  befallen  me.  A  dog  had  found  them  as  they 
lay  asleep,  and  was  now  tossing  them  rudely 
about  in  sport,  and  I  could  not  defend  them.  I 
have  never  been  the  same  mouse  since  their  sad 
death,  and  I  do  not  expect  ever  to  wear  any 
thing  but  mourning. 

"  They  were  all  very  much  affected  by  the 
sorrows  of  the  eldest  daughter.  When  she  had 
finished,  the  city  mouse  used  her  handkerchief 
several  times,  while  Grandmamma's  spectacles 
were  quite  dim  with  tears. 

" 6  Could  you  give  us  some  items  of  your  expe- 
rience, also  ? '  inquired  Grandpapa  of  his  eldest 
son,  sleepily  but  politely. 


150 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


" 6 1  have  really  nothing  of  importance  to  tell ; ' 
and  perhaps  he  was  right,  for  he  certainly  had 
been  very  quiet  all  this  time,  although  it  may 
have  been  because  he  ate  so  much  dinner. 

" c  I  have  lived  a  very  uneventful  life,'  he  went 
on,  '  not  having  wandered  further  than  the  next 
village,  where  I  live  in  a  barn  very  comforta- 
bly. I  have  no  learned  tastes,  like  my  bachelor 
brother  ;  I  do  not  care  in  the  least  whether  the 
moon  is  green  cheese  or  not,  —  as  long  as  I  stay 
on  earth  it  need  not  trouble  me ;  I  am  not  a 
business  mouse,  like  my  city  brother ;  I  have 
never  made  a  journey,  like  my  father  here  ;  and 
all  my  children  have  lived  to  grow  up,  so  that 
I  have  not  the  same  misfortunes  as  my  poor 
sister. 

" '  That  is  all  I  can  say  for  myself;  and,  if  it 
is  agreeable  to  you  all,  I  propose  we  go  to  bed, 
as  some  of  us  will  have  to  make  an  early  start  in 
the  morning,'  he  said,  rising  with  a  yawn  of 
fatigue. 

"  They  consented  to  this  last  arrangement, 
and  thus  Christmas  Day  closed  on  Grandpapa 
Mouse  and  his  family." 


GRANDPAPA  MOUSE  AND  HIS  FAMILY.  151 


Public  favor  was  universally  awarded  the 
Caterpillar  after  this  effort. 

The  Cricket  next  received  a  reward  for  all  his 
patience  and  good  humor,  by  having  an  oppor- 
tunity of  telling  — 


152 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE. 


ES,  it  was  a  pleasant  day,  after  all !  The 


bright  sunlight  danced  through  the  parted 
crimson  curtains  down  upon  the  nursery  floor, 
down  upon  curly  heads  nestled  among  the  pil- 
lows, tinging  the  canary  bird's  golden  feathers, 
as  he  ruffled  himself  upon  the  perch  before  skip- 
ping down  to  the  dining-room  of  his  cage  for  a 
stray  seed  or  sip  of  water,  and  blinking  straight 
into  the  eyes  of  little  Milly,  as  she  first  opened 
them  upon  her  sixth  birthday.  The  other  chil- 
dren were  still  napping ;  but  Hannah,  the  nurse, 
thought  of  it,  and  came  to  kiss  the  pet  who  had 
first  rested  in  her  arms,  a  wee  bundle  of  flannel, 
with  a  tiny  red  face.  Nurse  thought  Milly  a 
great  deal  prettier  and  bonnier,  as  she  crept  out 
of  bed  now  to  stand  upon  the  warm  hearth-rug  in 
her  white  night-dress,  warming  her  little  pink 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  153 


toes  at  the  blaze,  than  when  she  was  only  that 
little  bundle  of  flannel  on  the  day  of  her  birth. 

"  c  Come,  dears,'  said  nurse,  rousing  the  others : 
4  it  is  Milly's  birthday,  you  know  ;  so  be  up  bright 
and  early.' 

" '  Yes,  yes,'  sang  Milly,  merrily  whirling 
about  the  room  to  the  step  her  dancing-master 
had  last  taught  her.  <  Get  up !  I  am  six  years 
old  to-day :  only  think ;  and  you  but  four,  Miss 
Pet,  —  such  a  little,  little  girl.' 

"  No :  I  aint,'  answered  Pet,  indignantly,  roll- 
ing out  upon  the  floor  like  a  rosy  ball  of  an 
apple  :  '  I  am  so  big  I  can  see  over  the  table,  any- 
how.' 

"  Upon  this  Milly  caught  the  small  sister  by 
both  hands,  and  whirled  her  round  the  room  so 
fast,  that  Pet  had  not  a  particle  of  breath  left  in 
her  fat  little  body.  The  noise  made  all  the  other 
children  open  their  eyes,  and  join  in  the  fun; 
while  even  the  baby  sat  up  in  its  crib,  to  crow, 
and  pat  its  dimpled  hands  together,  because  the 
rest  did :  babies  can  never  give  any  better  rea- 
sons for  their  actions.  Nurse  Hannah  and  her 
assistant,  Sarah,  never  had  such  work  to  dress 

G* 


154 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


their  charges,  as  on  that  morning.  First,  Tom 
put  on  his  soldier's  cap,  which  Santa  Claus  had 
given  him  only  a  few  weeks  before,  and  strapped 
the  sword  about  his  waist,  which  certainly  made 
him  look  very  funny  indeed,  considering  that  he 
still  wore  only  his  night-clothes ;  while  all  the 
rest  strutted  after  him  in  single  file,  Dick  beat- 
ing a  drum,  Milly  carrying  a  tin  musket,  and 
Pet  bringing  up  the  rear,  staggering  under  the 
weight  of  a  knapsack.  In  this  way,  they  marched 
about,  always  slipping  like  eels  when  Nurse  Han- 
nah touched  them,  and  making  so  much  noise 
the  while,  that  she  could  scarcely  hear  herself 
speak.  At  last,  Sarah  pounced  upon  Pet,  and 
bore  her  away  shrieking  and  struggling  to  the 
bath-room,  whence,  after  a  good  deal  of  gurgling 
and  splashing,  she  returned,  looking  as  fresh  as 
a  rosebud  that  the  dew  has  just  kissed  into  fra- 
grance. Milly  now  began  to  behave  better ;  for 
she  thought  she  must  set  Pet  a  good  example, 
since  she  was  so  much  the  elder  of  the  two. 
Tom  and  Dick,  however,  grew  wilder  and  gayer 
as  they  dressed  themselves.  They  hid  Milly 's 
boots  so  that  she  could  not  find  them ;  they 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  155 

whisked  the  baby  out  of  his  crib,  where  he  sat 
contentedly  sucking  one  thumb,  and  perched  him 
upon  the  bureau ;  and  Tom  leaped  upon  the 
table  with  a  newspaper,  which  he  held  upside 
down,  and  pretended  to  read,  with  Nurse  Han- 
nah's steel-bowed  spectacles  upon  his  little  pug 
nose. 

"At  this  they  all  laughed  so  loudly  that 
mamma  came  to  the  door  to  inquire  what  was 
the  matter,  and  tell  them  it  was  breakfast-time. 

"'0  Sarah !  please  brush  my  hair,  quick,' 
implored  Milly.  i  I  want  to  begin  my  year  in 
season  for  every  thing,  if  I  possibly  can.' 

"  So  Sarah  brushed  her  hair,  and  smoothed 
down  the  nice  new  dress  and  crisp  muslin  apron 
prepared  for  the  occasion ;  then  Milly  ran  down- 
stairs, and  climbed  into  her  high  chair,  just 
before  papa  was  ready  to  ask  the  blessing,  feel- 
ing very  gay  and  happy.  After  breakfast, 
mamma  proposed  that  they  should  all  go  o 
to  play  for  a  time,  as  the  morning  was  so  fine. 

"  4  Then/  she  said  with  a  smile,  patting  he. 
eldest  daughter's  soft  round  cheek, 4  we  will  see 
♦   what  we  can  do  to  amuse  Milly  in  the  house.' 


156 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  Mamma  then  went  away,  and  Milly  turned  to 
the  window  with  a  half  sigh  of  disappointment. 
The  view  from  where  she  stood  was  beautiful 
enough  to  make  any  child's  eyes  sparkle  with 
delight.  The  earth  was  hidden  by  a  soft  cover- 
ing of  fresh  snow;  the  trees  and  shrubs  were 
powdered  with  icicle  fringes,  that  gleamed  and 
sparkled  in  the  sun  like  so  many  crystal  pen- 
dants ;  and  the  Hudson  River  swept  along,  bear- 
ing upon  its  surface,  now  a  stately  steamboat, 
ploughing  its  way  swiftly  along  through  sheets  of 
foam-flakes,  and  now  a  flitting  sail-boat,  with  white 
sail  spread  like  a  bird's  wings  upon  the  wind. 
But,  for  the  moment,  Milly  did  not  enjoy  this 
splendid  winter  landscape  ;  nor  did  she  notice  the 
little  snow-birds,  hopping  about  the  frozen  ground 
on  their  frail-looking  little  legs,  and  cocking  their 
bright  eyes  up  at  her,  as  if  begging  a  crumb 
from  the  plenty  of  the  table.  A  cloud  had  come 
over  her  bright  face,  causing  it  for  the  time  to 
look  sullen  and  sad.  Do  you  know  what  she 
was  thinking  of  ?  Precisely  what  you  or  any  other 
little  child  might  in  her  place.  She  had  expected 
a  birthday  gift,  and  now  nothing  of  the  kind  was 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  157 

presented  to  her  from  papa  even  down  to  the 
baby. 

"  1 1  always  had  one,'  reflected  Milly,  growing 
more  and  more  aggrieved  as  she  thought  of  this 
injustice,  until  a  tear  rolled  down  her  cheek. 
'  I  always  had  one,' — this  with  a  sob,  —  'even 
when  I  was  ever  so  little.  I  had  a  rag  doll,  and 
a  tin  horse  and  cart,  and  a  picture  book,  and  all 
sorts  of  things ;  but  to-day '  — 

"  Here  Pet  came  running  in  with  her  arms 
full  of  wrappings,  followed  by  Sarah  also  carry- 
ing Milly's  warm  cloak,  hat,  and  mittens. 

"  <  Come,'  said  Pet,  4  we  are  to  slide  on  the 
pond  with  the  boys,  and  have  such  fun.' 

" 6 1  don't  want  to  slide,'  pouted  Milly,  turning 
away  to  the  window  again. 

"  '  What  a  naughty  girl  I '  exclaimed  Sarah,  as 
she  tied  on  Pet's  hat,  who  could  do  nothing  but 
stare  at  Milly  in  amazement,  with  big,  bright 
eyes. 

"'Not  do,'  piped  the  little  sister.  <  Oh !  I 
know  something  Mil','  she  added,  puffing  out 
her  cheeks  with  an  important  air.  4  You  are 
not  to  go  up-stairs  at  all,  mamma  said.' 


158 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  <  Oh,  you  silly  little  goose  ! '  said  Tom,  over- 
hearing the  last  sentence  as  he  entered  the  room : 
4 1  shall  box  your  ears  for  that,  Miss.' 

"  Then  Tom  pretended  to  carry  out  his  threat, 
and  Milly  forgot  her  tears  to  join  in  the  romp ;  while 
Sarah  tried  to  defend  poor  Pet,  who  became  so 
tumbled  and  out  of  breath,  with  her  hat  knocked 
over  one  eye,  that  she  looked  very  funny  indeed, 
though  I  do  not  believe  she  was  very  much  hurt 
after  all. 

"  Well,  they  went  out  into  the  frosty  air,  which 
nipped  their  little  noses,  stung  their  round  cheeks 
into  a  warmer  glow,  and  caused  the  blood  to 
course  through  their  young  veins  like  spark- 
ling champagne.  Tom  and  Dick  meant  to  be 
very  good  and  patient  to-day,  because  they  loved 
their  little  sister  much,  although  they  were  some- 
times rough  and  rude  to  her  ;  but  then  she  was 
only  a  girl.  Milly' s  uncle  had  sent  her  a  beau- 
tiful pair  of  skates  Christmas,  all  buckles  and 
straps  and  sharp-curved  runners.  They  were 
really  splendid  ;  but  Milly  did  not  make  very 
much  progress  in  using  them,  after  all.  Her 
ankles  would  turn ;  and  she  felt  so  helpless  stand- 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  159 

ing  upon  the  smooth,  glaring  surface  of  ice 
alone,  with  her  two  feet  planted  close  together, 
while  her  brothers  whizzed  past  her  in  circles 
that  made  her  head  spin  to  watch,  and  asked  her 
why  she  did  not  "  strike  out,  —  so  !  "  Then  when 
she  followed  their  advice,  and  did  strike  out,  her 
skates  were  sure  to  flash  up  in  the  air,  where 
her  head  ought  to  have  been,  while  her  head 
went  down  bump,  bump,  where  her  skates  should 
have  been.  This  was  the  way  Milly  skated. 
"When  they  reached  the  pond,  Tom  and  Dick 
strapped  on  their  skates  ;  then  Dick  said,  — 

"  '  Now,  Milly,  we  will  teach  you  real  nice  to- 
day :  we  are  going  to  be  awfully  good.' 

" '  No,  I  thank  you,'  said  Milly,  with  a  grand 
air :  '  I  am  not  going  to  tumble  about,  and  get 
so  vexed  on  my  birthday.  Pet  and  I  will  be 
ladies,  and  you  shall  be  our  horses.' 

"  At  first,  the  two  boys  looked  surprised  ;  but 
Milly  quite  coolly  seated  herself  upon  Tom's 
sled,  tucked  her  little  petticoats  snugly  about 
her,  and  sat  nodding  at  them  both. 

"  <  Upon  my  word,  that's  cool ! '  cried  Tom  ; 
but  he  harnessed  himself  with  the  rope,  never- 


160  THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 

theless,  and  away  they  started,  the  silver  bells 
attached  to  the  sled  tinkling  merrily.  They  had 
a  grand  time  of  it  for  an  hour  or  so,  until  Milly 
suddenly  remembered  what  Pet  had  said  about 
not  going  up-stairs  ;  and  then  she  wondered  what 
it  all  could  mean.  They  finally  started  for  the 
house ;  and  when  they  saw  their  mamma  stand- 
ing at  the  dining-room  window  watching,  Pet 
and  Milly  joined  hands,  and  ran  as  fast  as  they 
could  towards  home :  they  could  not  tell  exactly 
why,  except  that  they  felt  like  it. 

"  '  Can  Milly  go  up-stairs  now,  mamma?' 
asked  Pet  eagerly. 

"  Mamma  assented ;  and  Milly,  wondering  very 
much  what  was  coming,  followed  her  mother  into 
a  little  room  that  had  never  before  been  used,  and 
which  was  now  furnished  in  the  most  beautiful 
manner.  There  was  a  fresh  muslin  curtain, 
looped  with  gay  ribbons,  at  the  window ;  the 
carpet  looked  as  if  it  had  just  been  strewn  with 
rosebuds  ;  the  tiny  bedstead,  of  carved  wood, 
had  the  daintiest  linen  and  crimped  hangings  ; 
while  there  was  a  little  bookcase  in  one  corner, 
containing  all  kinds  of  pretty  books  ;  upon  the 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE. 


161 


table  bloomed  a  bouquet  of  sweet-scented  violets  ; 
and  by  the  table  was  the  loveliest  rocking-chair 
imaginable,  just  large  enough  to  hold  a  little  girl 
of  six  years  old.  Upon  the  wall,  in  a  wreath  of 
evergreen,  were  written  these  words  :  '  Milly's 
room.' 

"  Milly  gazed  about  her,  feeling  as  if  she  was 
in  a  dream.  Having  examined  all  the  fine  fur- 
niture which  was  from  this  time  to  be  all  her 
own,  Pet  pointed  to  a  large  object  in  a  corner, 
concealed  by  a  sheet  curtain. 

"  '  What's  that  ? '  dancing  about  with  delight. 

"  '  Let  her  guess,'  said  Tom,  putting  his  hand 
over  foolish  little  Pet's  rosy  lips,  to  keep  her 
from  telling  the  important  secret. 

" '  It's  a  ba-by,'  gurgled  Pet ;  but  Tom  put 
his  jacket  over  her  head,  and  extinguished  her 
entirely. 

"  '  Can  you  guess  what  it  is  ? '  asked  mamma. 

"  6  It  looks  like  an  elephant,'  said  Dick. 

"  £  I  should  think  it  might  be  a  bookcase,  only 
there  is  one  ;  and  Pet  said  it  was  a  baby-house,' 
replied  Milly  hesitatingly. 

11 


162 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  '  Right,  right ! '  cried  all  the  children,  clap- 
ping their  hands. 

"  Then  papa  drew  aside  the  curtain,  and  Mil- 
ly's  eyes  fairly  danced  with  delight  at  the  sight 
disclosed. 

"It  was  the  most  splendid  baby-house  she  had 
ever  seen  in  her  life,  although  she  had  always 
considered  that  of  her  Cousin  May  very  fine  be- 
fore. The  roof  reached  nearly  to  the  ceiling  of 
the  room,  boasting  gables  and  chimneys ;  there 
was  a  large  front  door,  wearing  the  number  of 
the  house  upon  a  brass  plate ;  and  the  windows 
with  the  parted  curtains  temptingly  invited  a 
glimpse  into  the  interior.  Mamma  then  told 
Milly  to  open  the  door,  which  she  did  half  shyly, 
as  though  she  did  not  know  what  to  expect  next. 
First,  she  sat  down  upon  the  carpet  to  look  at 
the  kitchen,  with  its  shining  painted  floor,  its 
stove,  dresser,  teakettles,  saucepans,  flat-irons, 
and  other  implements  of  that  department,  over 
which  reigned  Dinah,  in  a  yellow  turban  and 
smart  red  dress,  with  ever  so  many  assistant 
darkies,  from  her  daughter  Sue  down  to  tiny 
doll  grandchildren,  not  more  than  an  inch  long, 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  163 

all  as  black  as  ebony.  Next  came  the  dining- 
room,  which  was  certainly  as  handsome  as  the 
most  fastidious  doll  could  wish  for.  There  were 
two  mahogany  sideboards,  with  a  grand  array  of 
frosted  cakes,  pies,  and  ice-cream  pyramids,  only 
they  were  all  made  of  painted  wood ;  and  there 
was  a  table  with  a  beautiful  gilt  tea-service,  and 
a  large  coffee-urn  upon  it.  On  the  neatly  papered 
wall  hung  several  choice  pictures  about  an  inch 
square,  and  a  veritable  cuckoo  clock,  with  the 
bird  all  ready  to  pop  out  when  you  pulled  a  silk 
tag.  A  genteel  waitress,  in  a  muslin  cap  and 
apron,  stood  by  the  table. 

"  Milly  now  stood  up  to  view  the  second  story, 
and  by  so  doing  just  brought  her  small  nose  on 
a  level  with  the  bedroom.  She  found  this  to  be 
furnished  exactly  like  her  own.  The  same  carpet 
was  spread  upon  the  floor ;  the  bureau,  the  bed- 
stead, and  washstand,  were  precisely  similar. 
The  baby-house  had  many  more  articles  of  furni- 
ture, however,  than  did  the  larger  apartment ; 
for  it  was  not  only  adorned  by  a  toilet-table,  a 
wee  bath-tub,  and  a  wardrobe,  but  there  were 
ever  so  many  cradles  and  high -chairs  for  the 
children. 


164 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  '  Now  look  at  the  parlor,'  cried  Pet. 

"  I  cannot  begin  to  describe  the  magnificence 
of  this  drawing-room.  Every  thing  was  gilt  and 
crimson  in  the  appointments,  which  is  certainly 
very  good  taste,  whether  doll  or  human  being. 
There  was  a  gilt  chandelier,  with  pink  wax 
candles  ready  to  light  at  any  time,  gilt  chairs,  and 
centre-table  holding  vases  filled  with  flowers, 
while  the  carpet  and  walls  were  crimson.  Before 
the  open  piano  was  seated  a  very  pretty  doll  in 
a  flounced  blue  silk  dress,  trimmed  with  crystal 
drops  ;  upon  the  sofa  reclined  her  two  sisters,  one 
wearing  white  with  a  green  sash,  and  the  other 
pink  barege ;  while  the  mother,  in  purple  satin 
edged  with  white  lace,  occupied  a  large  arm-chair, 
with  her  feet  upon  a  footstool.  At  the  billiard- 
table  in  the  corner  were  several  more  dolls,  one 
holding  the  cue  ready  to  play  a  game. 

"  This  is  all  that  I  can  remember  of  the 
wonderful  baby-house  ( it  is  a  long  time  since  I 
saw  it  last )  ;  but  if  there  was  any  thing  else  that  I 
have  not  mentioned,  you  may  be  sure  Milly  dis- 
covered it  before  nightfall,  that  birthday  when  she 
was  six  years  old.    When  she  had  seen  all  these 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  165 

things,  little  Milly  jumped  up  with  a  flush  on  her 
cheek,  and  turned  to  all  the  kind  faces  that  were 
watching  her  surprise  and  pleasure.  First,  she 
gave  her  parents  a  kiss  of  thanks  ;  then  there  was 
Sarah  smiling  in  the  doorway,  and  Nurse  Hannah 
holding  the  baby,  who  looked  quite  solemn,  with 
one  thumb  in  its  mouth,  baby  fashion.  The  boys 
then  ran  away  to  their  skating  again,  for  they 
thought  they  were  too  big  and  old,  to  show  much 
interest  in  a  baby-house ;  and  the  sisters  were 
left  to  their  play  undisturbed.  Of  course  there 
was  no  end  of  fun  for  the  rest  of  that  long,  happy 
day.  Milly  and  Pet  had  hardly  leisure  to  eat 
their  dinner,  they  were  so  absorbed  with  their  new 
playthings.  Such  a  confusion  as  they  made  in  the 
neat  little  rooms,  house-cleaning,  re-arranging 
furniture  and  dollies !  Such  a  number  of  meals 
as  were  served  in  that  one  afternoon  alone  !  It 
is  only  a  wonder  that  a  single  doll  had  any 
digestion  left,  or  that  Dinah  could  still  show  her 
white  teeth  in  that  contented  smile  ;  for  any  other 
cook  would  have  given  warning  that  she  was 
about  to  leave,  I  am  sure,  who  had  to  serve  the 
quantities  of  sweetened  water,  scraped  apple,  and 


166 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


chalk  dishes  that  she  did.  But  Dinah  did  not 
lose  her  temper,  although  it  was  so  severely  tried, 
one  would  think ;  and  the  day's  pleasure  closed 
with  a  grand  tea-party,  to  which  Tom  and  Dick 
were  invited.  Then  the  baby-house  was  arranged, 
and  the  door  closed  for  the  night. 

"  When  it  was  bedtime,  Milly  realized,  for  the 
first  time,  what  a  large  girl  she  had  grown,  to 
have  a  place  all  to  herself.  Sarah  brought  a  light, 
and  prepared  to  put  her  charge  to  bed ;  but  this 
Milly  resisted  indignantly.  She  was  going  to 
undress,  and  take  care  of  herself;  so  she  bade 
Sarah  good-night  very  ceremoniously,  and  the 
nursery-maid  went  away  laughing.  There  was  a 
good  deal  of  pattering  to  and  from  the  nursery, 
however,  after  that.  First,  Milly  ran  across 
her  mother's  room,  and  along  the  passage,  to 
make  a  call  upon  the  other  children ;  and  she 
looked  back  with  a  little  shiver  at  comfortable 
Miss  Pet  sitting  on  the  hearth-rug  like  a  soft 
white  kitten,  and  the  baby  asleep  in  the  crib,  as 
she  returned  to  her  own  room  once  more.  Then 
the  others  made  her  a  call,  and  envied  her  new 
dignity :  only  Pet  whispered  in  an  awed  tone,  — 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  167 

4  Wont  you  be  afraid  when  the  light  goes 
out,  Milly  ? ' 

"  1  No,  indeed,'  said  Milly  bravely. 

"  Then  she  blew  out  the  candle,  and  sprang 
into  bed,  just  to  show  Pet  how  much  she  enjoyed 
it  all.  But  when  they  had  trotted  back,  and  it 
was  all  dark,  she  began  to  see  strange  shapes 
from  out  of  the  darkness,  and  to  hear  rustlings 
all  about  that  she  had  never  noticed  in  the  shel- 
ter of  the  nursery,  until  she  fell  asleep.  She 
was  awakened  by  a  noise  that  made  her  heart 
leap  into  her  throat  with  a  single  bound.  It  was 
something  between  a  gurgle  and  a  groan  ;  and  so 
frightened  grew  little  Milly,  that  she  stole  out 
of  her  warm  bed,  and  paused,  trembling,  on  the 
threshold  of  her  mother's  room  to  listen.  What 
do  you  suppose  the  noise  was,  after  all  ?  Milly 
almost  laughed  at  herself  when  she  discovered ; 
it  was  her  papa  snoring  loudly.  She  was  so  glad 
that  no  one  knew  of  her  fright,  the  first  night 
she  slept  alone,  that  she  nestled  into  bed  again, 
and  pulled  the  blankets  almost  over  her  curly 
head.  The  moonlight  came  peeping  into  the 
window  in  silvery  beams  ;  and,  after  looking  out 


168 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


upon  the  clear  sky,  where  a  few  stars  twinkled, 
Milly  saw  a  wonderful  sight.  Down  the  moon- 
beam, which  formed  a  pathway  paved  with  spark- 
ling hues,  floated  tiny  fairy  figures,  bearing  in 
their  midst  upon  a  litter,  formed  of  a  lily-cup,  their 
queen.  *  Milly  thought  she  had  never  dreamed  of 
any  thing  half  so  beautiful.  Shimmering  colors 
wrapped  each  little  sprite  in  a  misty  glow,  while 
their  wings  were  frosted  like  those  of  a  butterfly. 
As  for  the  queen,  she  was  ten  times  more  radiant 
than  any  of  her  subjects,  as  a  queen  should  be ; 
and,  when  she  moved,  a  faint  musical  sound 
tinkled  from  the  chains  of  turquoises,  which 
were  fastened  about  her  waist ;  from  thence  they 
twined  in  festoons  all  about  her  small  person. 
She  was  further  distinguished  from  the  rest  by  a 
starry  crown  upon  her  head,  and  a  wand  tipped 
with  the  same  radiance  in  her  hand. 

"  <  Here  we  are,  at  last,'  said  the  moonbeam 
fairy  in  the  sweetest  voice.  4  Give  me  your  hand, 
Milly.' 

"  The  little  girl  extended  it  half-fearfully,  and 
the  fairy  leaped  into  the  outspread  palm,  dancing 
lightly  over  the  pink-tipped  fingers  in  doing  so. 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE. 


169 


"  6  Don't  be  afraid  of  me,'  she  said.  '  I  never 
hurt  any  child  in  my  life,  I  assure  you.' 

"  The  other  fairies  climbed  upon  the  bed  also, 
some  clinging  to  the  curtain  tassels,  some  perched 
among  Milly's  curls,  and  others  sat  at  their  ease 
on  the  footboard. 

"  <  It  is  Milly's  birthday,'  rustled  the  elves, 
like  the  soft  patter  of  raindrops  among  forest 
leaves. 

"  £  Yes :  we  have  come  a  long  way  to  see  you, 
for  we  live  in  the  moon,'  said  the  fairy ;  '  and  it 
is  only  when  she  lowers  silver  ladders  to  the 
earth,  that  we  can  make  a  visit  down  here.' 

"  '  I  am  so  glad  you  all  came  to-night,'  ex- 
claimed Milly ;  '  only  how  did  you  know,  away 
up  there,  that  it  was  my  birthday  ? ' 

"  '  Ah  ! '  returned  the  fairy  smiling,  6  we  always 
know  every  thing,  you  may  be  sure.  The  angels 
tell  us,  especially  about  those  that  are  good  upon 
the  earth.  Now  to-night  my  twelve  sisters  are 
also  down  here  somewhere  ;  this  one  flitting  into 
the  attic  windows  of  the  city  streets,  where  there 
is  sickness  and  sorrow ;  that  one  whispering 
words  of  comfort  in  dreams  of  warmth  and  plenty 


170 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


to  the  little  wayfarer,  sleeping  upon  a  cold  door- 
step ;  while  another  is  hovering  over  the  broad 
sea,  to  lead  the  poor,  rude  sailor's  thoughts 
home.' 

"'Do  you  live  in  a  palace  ? '  asked  Milly. 

"  6  Yes :  we  live  in  a  palace  beside  a  silver 
lake ;  and  we  are  called  the  twelve  sisters  of  the 
fairy  lake,  because  we  all  sprang  into  life  from  a 
single  bubble  of  foam,  blown  through  the  reed 
of  our  Father,  the  water  god,  who  rules  over 
rivers  and  fountains  in  the  moon.' 

"  '  How  wonderful ! '  commented  Milly. 

"  '  Let  us  be  doing  something,  mistress,'  piped 
a  restless  elf,  who  had  never  been  at  rest  a  mo- 
ment, but  who  skipped  and  danced  about  like  a 
firefly  ;  once,  indeed,  turning  a  summersault,  and 
landing  upon  Milly' s  nose. 

"  '  What  shall  we  do  ?  '  said  the  queen. 

"  '  Oh !  any  thing  else  but  talk,  please ;  we  can 
do  that  at  home,'  replied  the  elf. 

"  4  Shall  I  show  you  my  new  baby-house  ? 9 
inquired  Milly,  who  supposed  that  the  fairies 
must  find  as  much  to  interest  them  in  it  as  she 
did  herself. 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  171 

"  At  this  the  restless  elf  darted  off,  and  was 
followed  by  the  others ;  while  the  queen  waved 
her  wand,  and,  to  Milly's  astonishment,  the  door, 
which  she  had  carefully  locked,  flew  wide  open. 
The  fairy  again  waved  her  wand  ;  and  from  every 
tiny  chandelier  sprang  jets  of  light,  that  shone 
through  the  windows,  and  sparkled  over  the  hand- 
some furniture  in  the  most  beautiful  manner. 

"  '  Will  you  come  to  see  the  fun  ? '  asked  the 
fairy ;  and  Hilly,  all  curiosity,  followed  her  mid- 
night guests  across  the  room. 

"  The  restless  elf  next  borrowed  the  queen's 
wand,  and,  stepping  into  the  window  of  the  bed- 
room, tapped  each  of  the  sleeping  dolls  with  it 
upon  the  head. 

"  6  Come,  come  !  get  up,  you  lazy  creatures ! ' 
cried  the  roguish  elf,  enjoying  himself  im- 
mensely. 

"  All  the  dolls  began  to  move  about  and  yawn, 
as  if  they  were  just  waking  up.  Milly  thought 
she  had  never  imagined  any  thing  so  delightfully 
funny  as  the  little  babies  winking  their  bright 
black  eyes,  and  crying  so  that  the  nurses  had  to 
rock  the  cradles  to  keep  them  quiet. 


172 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  '  Now,  then,'  said  the  elf,  4  you  all  dress 
yourselves  as  quickly  as  possible,  and  then  I  will 
tell  you  what  to  do.' 

44  He  left  them  in  the  bedroom,  roused  Dinah 
in  the  kitchen,  and  the  genteel  waitress  in  the 
dining-room  ;  then  he  returned  to  the  parlor, 
tried  the  piano,  whistling  a  tune,  at  the  same 
time  winking  so  drolly  at  Milly,  that  she  laughed 
with  delight ;  played  a  round  or  so  at  the  billiard- 
table,  and  then  seated  himself  in  the  large  arm- 
chair. In  the  mean  while,  the  dolls  wore  grum- 
bling over  the  whole  affair. 

"  6 1  never  heard  of  such  a  thing,'  said  the  fat 
mamma,  smoothing  her  hair  before  the  looking- 
glass,  4  to  turn  us  all  out  of  bed  at  this  time  of 
night,  and  set  all  babies  crying,  too  ! ' 

"  4  Never  mind,  mamma,'  said  the  daughter  in 
blue  silk,  shaking  out  her  flounces :  'it  is  the 
little  lady's  birthday,  and  we  can  take  a  nap  to- 
morrow.' 

"  4  Yes,'  chimed  in  the  pink-barege  sister ; 4  and 
she  never  has  broken  us,  you  know.' 

"  4 1  am  sure  I  am  afraid  of  my  legs,  if  that 
Miss  Pet  only  looks  at  me,  for  fear  they  will  be 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  173 

smashed,'  echoed  the  white-muslin  lady,  looking 
mournfully  at  her  china  boots. 

"  4  If  Pet  could  only  hear  her  talk  ! '  whispered 
Mally  to  the  fairy  queen  ;  when  lo  !  in  toddled  the 
young  lady,  and,  putting  her  arm  about  Milly's 
neck,  stood  looking  at  the  wonderful  sight  also. 

"  4 1  am  so  glad  you  can  see  it  too,  Pet ! ' 

44  4  By  this  time  the  dolls  had  made  their 
toilets ;  all  except  the  babies  that  were  left  in 
charge  of  their  nurses,  some  of  whom  trotted 
them  upon  their  knees,  or  fed  them  with  pap 
out  of  tin  mugs,  while  others  still  rocked  the 
cradles,  and  the  seamstress  stitched  upon  the 
sewing-machine. 

" 4  First,  we  will  have  a  dance,'  said  the  elf, 
cutting  a  caper  in  mid  air.  4  You  stupid  dolls ! 
why  don't  you  act  as  though  you  were  made  of 
something  better  than  wood  ?  ' 

"  4  We  are  made  of  the  best  French  china  and 
kid,'  retorted  the  dolls  indignantly,  as  they  all 
huddled  together  in  the  corner,  and  stared  at  the 
elf  with  their  round  eyes. 

"  i  They  are  afraid  of  you  ;  join  your  compan- 
ions on  the  roof,'  commanded  the  queen. 


174 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  The  elf  made  a  wry  face,  for  he  desired  to 
play  pranks  upon  the  dollies ;  but  he  flew  up  at 
the  royal  command  to  where  the  others  were 
clustered  about  the  chimneys,  and  hung  himself 
by  one  leg  from  an  eave,  with  his  queer  little 
face  and  twinkling  eyes  close  to  Milly.  Left  to 
themselves,  the  inmates  of  the  baby-house  felt 
more  at  their  ease.  The  blue -silk  daughter 
commenced  to  play  a  lively  air  upon  the  piano, 
to  which  all  the  younger  dolls  began  to  dance  ; 
and  such  waltzes,  polkas,  and  quadrilles  as  were 
performed  never  were  seen  before. 

"  '  You  would  think  they  had  been  to  dancing- 
school  all  their  lives,'  said  the  fairy. 

"  '  What  fun  we  are  having  !  '  exclaimed  a 
pretty  doll,  with  red  cheeks,  mincing  along.  '  I 
was  only  made  last  week,  and  I  had  no  idea  the 
world  was  such  a  nice  place.' 

"  '  You  need  not  think  you  are  to  go  on  in 
this  way  all  your  life,'  snapped  another,  who 
was  rather  ill-natured,  because  her  nose  was 
broken.    4  We  are  all  bewitched  to-night.' 

"  '  Are  we  ? '  returned  rosy-cheeks.  6 1  should 
like  to  be  so  always,  then.' 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  175 


"  In  the  mean  while,  the  stout  mamma  had 
done  nothing  but  doze  and  nod  upon  the  sofa, 
with  a  fine  lace  pocket-handkerchief  over  her 
head,  while  all  the  music  and  dancing  had  gone 
on  so  merrily  about  her.  But  no  sooner  had 
the  genteel  waitress  arranged  every  thing  below 
stairs,  and  tinkled  the  little  silver  bell,  than  she 
whisked  ofT  the  covering  from  her  face,  and  rose 
briskly  to  go  to  supper. 

"  Such  a  feast  as  awaited  them  !  There  was  real 
tea  and  coffee  bubbling  in  the  urns ;  the  wooden 
cakes,  pies,  and  ices,  were  wooden  no  longer ; 
or,  if  they  were,  the  dolls  certainly  found  them 
delicious.  As  for  Dinah,  the  cook,  she  was  as 
busy  as  possible,  not  only  making  various  dishes 
over  the  fire,  but  boxing  the  ears  of  her  chil- 
dren, and  scolding  them  when  they  did  not  bring 
her  pepper  or  salt  just  to  the  minute.  Then, 
what  a  pet  she  was  in  when  any  thing  burned 
upon  the  stove ! 

"  Milly  watched  all  the  busy  little  figures  until 
her  very  eyes  ached,  and  the  clock,  upon  the 
dining-room  wall  of  the  baby-house,  struck  one, 
two,  when  out  popped  the  bird  above,  with- 


176 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS 


out  any  one's  pulling  the  silk  tag,  and  chirped 
'  cuckoo  *  quite  distinctly.  At  this  the  moon- 
beam fairies  fluttered  from  their  perch  upon  the 
gables,  and  circled  in  rings  of  flame  and  purple 
and  gold  and  blue,  quickly  succeeding  each 
other ;  while  the  moonlight  streamed  brighter 
and  brighter,  wrapping  every  thing  in  a  daz- 
zling cloud. 

"  What  do  you  suppose  this  dazzling  light 
really  was,  my  dear  little  reader  ?  Why,  it  was 
nothing  but  another  day's  sun  kissing  Milly's 
eyelids  and  curls  with  golden  caresses.  Yes, 
every  thing  was  undisturbed  in  her  room.  The 
baby -house  was  closed;  and,  when  she  peeped 
in,  all  the  dolls  were  as  stupid  as  though  they 
never  had  skipped,  or  eaten  a  late  supper  the 
previous  night,  while  all  the  wooden  cakes  stood 
upon  the  sideboard  untouched. 

"  4  Never  mind ;  the  fairies  were  here,'  thought 
Milly,  '  for  Pet  saw  them,  too.' 

"  At  the  breakfast-table,  she  tried  to  tell  her 
story ;  but  Tom  and  Dick  laughed  at  her  so,  she 
did  not  get  through  with  it  very  well. 

"  '  But  the  fairies  were  here,'  cried  Milly,  half 
vexed.    4  Pet  saw  them.' 


THE  ENCHANTED  BABY-HOUSE.  17T 


"  The  little  sister,  who  was  eating  bread  and 
butter  contentedly,  stopped,  with  her  mouth  and 
eyes  wide  open,  which  made  everybody  laugh  the 
more. 

"  ' 1  never  did ! '  said  Pet,  indignantly :  '  I  only 
slept  the  whole  time.' 

"  Poor  Milly  said  no  more ;  but  she  never  saw 
the  moon  climb  her  sparkling,  star-strewn  path- 
way afterward,  without  wishing  that  the  fairies 
might  spread  their  rainbow  wings,  and  flutter 
down  into  her  little  chamber  again,  as  they  did 
the  night  when  she  was  six  years  old." 

It  stormed  heavily  all  day.  The  Teapot  and 
Saucepan,  sitting  on  the  shelf  in  a  state  of 
idleness,  agreed  together,  that,  if  the  rain  dashed 
against  the  windows  in  that  way,  the  Club  would 
not  be  able  to  hear  each  other  speak  when  night 
came. 

On  the  hearth  stood  an  intruder ;  a  dilapi- 
dated old  umbrella  was  in  the  corner,  drops  of 
dirty  water  trickling  in  streams  across  the  hearth 
from  the  damp  folds. 

"  I  have  wet  my  feet  in  this  muddy  river,"  said 
the  Wasp. 

H*  12 


178 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  The  hearth  was  so  clean  before,"  sighed  the 
Caterpillar. 

"  I  am  really  very  sorry  my  master  the  peddler 
left  me  in  your  way,"  said  the  Umbrella,  meekly. 
"  Only  I  cannot  help  it." 

"To  be  sure  not,"  said  the  Kettle.  "You 
look  like  an  old  traveller,  friend;  will  you  tell 
us  something  of  yourself  ?" 

"  Certainly,"  replied  the  Umbrella,  and  began 
his  history:  — 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  UMBRELLA. 


179 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  UMBRELLA. 


""Y*OU  will  hardly  believe  it  when  I  say  that 
I  was  once  as  handsome  as  an  umbrella 
need  to  be  ;  I  am  so  faded  and  stained  by  old  age 
or  rough  exposure  now.  Yet  I  actually  was  ;  for 
in  the  large  manufactory  where  I  was  born,  no 
stouter  whalebone  frame  or  finely  carved  handle 
could  be  found. 

"  My  ribs  have  been  broken  in  several  places 
since,  and  clumsily  mended  again,  which  naturally 
gives  me  a  bungling  appearance.  Ah,  well ! 
beauty  must  fade. 

"  I  remember  very  well  my  ddbut  in  life.  I  was 
standing  in  the  rack  of  a  larger  shop,  one  fine 
summer  morning,  when  a  very  natty  young  gen- 
tleman entered,  and  purchased  me  without  delay. 

"  Of  course,  as  I  was  inexperienced  and  foolish, 


180 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


I  was  only  too  glad  to  exchange  the  monotony  of 
the  warehouse  for  any  novelty. 

"  Allow  me  to  remark,  in  commencing,  that  I 
have  one  complaint  to  urge  against  fate  for  having 
made  me  what  I  am.  The  life  of  an  umbrella  is 
a  most  aggravated  form  of  slavery.  One  can  never 
be  sure  of  having  a  moment's  peace.  In  stormy 
weather,  no  matter  how  heavily  the  rain  falls, 
or  the  snow  sleet  drives,  one  must  be  on  duty, 
shivering  in  wet  corners  neglected,  or  dragged  out 
to  brave  the  tempest  again  ;  while  on  clear  days 
one  may  be  under  the  bed,  or  behind  the  wardrobe 
likely  enough,  —  that  at  least  was  my  experience, 
but  then  my  master  was  a  bachelor. 

"  I  wondered  what  duty  I  should  perform  on 
this  bright,  pleasant  morning ;  for  there  was  not 
so  much  as  a  cloud  in  the  sky  to  be  seen.  I  soon 
discovered  I  was  to  be  of  service  'on  an  excursion 
of  some  kind ;  for  the  gentleman  walked  up  an 
avenue  leading  to  a  handsome  house,  and  upon 
the  steps,  under  the  clustering  rose-vines,  stood  a 
fair  lady,  awaiting  his  arrival  apparently. 

"  Presently  they  drove  away  in  a  pretty  basket 
carriage,  drawn  by  a  fat  little  pony,  and  I  accom- 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  UMBRELLA.  181 

panied  them,  together  with  the  luncheon  parcels 
and  fruit  baskets. 

"  It  was  a  pleasant  route  along  a  shady  road ; 
and  I  amused  myself  listening  to  the  conversation 
of  the  young  people  ( it  was  of  a  very  interesting 
nature  to  themselves  !),  or  I  flirted  with  the  lady's 
parasol,  —  a  dainty  bit  of  silk  that  ruffled  its  lace 
flounce  coquettishly  upon  the  breeze,  and  showed 
the  pink-tinted  lining  to  advantage. 

44  4  You  are  extremely  handsome I  remarked  to 
the  Parasol. 

44  4  Yes,'  she  replied  complacently ;  4 1  was  im- 
ported from  Paris,  you  know,  and  cost  very  dear, 
as  my  lace  is  real.   But  what  are  you  doing  here? ' 

" 4  That  I  cannot  tell  myself,'  I  answered.  4  Per- 
haps we  shall  know  before  the  day  is  over.' 

44  At  length  we  reached  the  end  of  our  drive ; 
the  master  assisted  his  companion  to  alight ;  the 
luncheon,  parasol,  and  myself,  followed  to  where 
the  grass  bank,  soft  as  velvet,  sloped  to  the  brink 
of  a  merry  little  brook,  which  sparkled  laughingly 
in  the  sunlight  for  a  time,  then  hid  among  the 
ferns  that  fringed  the  distance. 

44  An  umbrella  never  was  exposed  to  more  con- 


182 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


tempt  than  I  received  on  that  occasion.  No  sooner 
had  my  master  brought  me  upon  the  scene,  than 
the  company  began  to  laugh  and  jest.  It  seemed 
so  absurd  to  these  silly  people,  that  I  should  be 
needed.  Even  the  Parasol,  resting  in  the  lap  of 
her  mistress,  smirked  contemptuously  at  me  where  I 
stood  disconsolately  against  a  tree.  For  three 
long  hours  I  remained  unoccupied ;  while  all  the 
gay  people  strolled  among  the  trees  to  gather 
wild  flowers,  or  reclined  in  the  shade  to  enjoy 
strawberries  and  ice-cream. 

"  Gradually  the  sun  became  obscured  behind 
masses  of  swiftly  rising  cloud ;  but  no  one  noticed 
it  except  myself,  and,  as  no  refreshments  were 
offered  me,  I  had  nothing  better  to  do  than  to 
watch  the  change  of  the  weather.  Suddenly 
there  sounded  a  peal  of  thunder,  followed  by  a 
flash  of  lightning ;  then  down  pattered  the  rain, 
making  delicious  music  among  the  leaves  over- 
head. 

"  I  never  felt  so  wicked  in  my  life.  I 
longed  to  dance,  only  an  umbrella  cannot  do  that 
without  losing  its  balance.  I  longed  to  shout 
aloud,  but  an  umbrella  cannot  do  this  either  for 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  UMBRELLA.  183 

the  want  of  a  pair  of  lungs.  I  spread  my  grate- 
ful shelter  above  the  heads  of  the  group  to  whom 
I  belonged,  and  I  even  took  the  naughty  Parasol 
under  my  protection,  which  was  certainly  a 
generous  act,  although  one  ought  never  to  make 
a  merit  of  such  things  :  I  should  be  ashamed  to 
suspose  any  of  my  race  would  have  behaved 
differently  under  the  circumstances. 

"  There  was  no  house  or  shelter  at  hand,  and 
all  the  pretty  pony  carriages  were  no  protection 
against  the  storm.  How  flabby  the  muslin  dresses 
of  the  ladies  became,  how  limp  the  white  coats  of 
the  gentlemen,  as  they  crowded  under  the  shelter 
of  the  oak-trees  pretending  to  think  it  very  funny 
indeed  !  But  they  did  not,  I  could  see  that  plainly 
enough.  The  young  ladies'  hair  came  out  of  curl, 
and  the  brims  of  their  hats  were  crushed  out  of 
shape  from  attempting  to  keep  them  dry ;  while  the 
piles  of  frosted  confectionery  melted  into  a  mass 
that  might  as  well  have  been  soaked  brown  paper, 
or  any  thing  else  tough  and  disagreeable.  The 
strawberries  tumbled  about  in  crimson  pyramids, 
followed  by  stray  golden  lemons  ;  and  cakes,  with 
white  caps  on,  popped  out  of  their  place,  to  join 
in  the  general  ruin. 


184 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  How  proud  I  felt !  Soft  words  and  tender 
glances  were  exchanged  by  the  *  young  couple  I 
protected  ;  for  I  managed  to  screen  them  from  the 
rest,  so  they  could  enjoy  themselves  the  more. 

"  '  Dear  Umbrella,'  entreated  the  Parasol,  '  do 
save  my  tassels ;  they  are  growing  quite  wet, 
and  the  color  has  changed.' 

"  4  Yes,  indeed,  Madam  Butterfly :  you  are  not 
good  for  much.' 

" c  I  am  so  new  to  be  thrown  aside,'  sobbed  the 
Parasol.    '  All  for  a  stupid  shower,  too ! ' 

"  '  There,  don't  cry,'  I  urged.  '  Your  tassels  can 
be  changed  or  dyed.' 

"  4  Dyed  ! '  shrieked  the  Parasol,  indignantly. 
1  I  hope  I  have  not  come  to  that.' 

" '  Do  not  be  so  proud,'  I  said.  6  You  will 
certainly  come  to  grief.  At  least  men  do,  and  I 
see  no  reason  why  the  same  rule  should  not  apply 
to  parasols  as  well.' 

"  I  have  never  seen  the  parasol,  lady,  or  any 
of  the  gay  company  that  laughed  in  the  sun- 
shine, or  shivered  in  the  rain  since.  I  suppose 
my  young  master  must  have  married  the  lady, 
for  I  saw  him  slip  a  beautiful  diamond  ring  upon 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  UMBRELLA.  185 

her  finger  at  the  picnic.  I  hope  they  are  all 
very  happy,  and  that  the  frail  parasol  is  still  in 
existence ;  yet  I  have  no  means  of  knowing. 
Alas !  an  umbrella  cannot  move  without  being 
carried. 

"  For  a  short  time  I  resided  in  the  young  gen- 
tleman's apartments,  where  I  formed  some  very 
pleasant  acquaintances.  There  was  a  porcelain 
standard  on  the  mantel-piece,  holding  a  meer- 
schaum pipe ;  and  a  tobacco  vase,  with  a  little 
Hindoo  god  perched  on  the  lid.  There  was  an 
embroidered  smoking -cap  with  a  gold  tassel, 
hanging  over  the  arm  of  a  parian  statue  of 
Juno;  a  bronze  clock,  a  silver -knobbed  cane, 
and  a  riding-whip  on  the  wall. 

"  The  smoking-cap  and  riding-whip  were  very 
spicy  in  their  conversation,  and  waged  continual 
war  with  the  tobacco  vase  or  pipe,  who  were  true 
Germans. 

" '  That  stupid  maid  very  nearly  broke  my 
head  with  the  handle  of  her  duster,'  said  Juno, 
angrily.  '  My  heart  flutters  still  with  the  fright 
it  gave  me.' 

"  '  She  soiled  my  lining  with  her  dirty  fingers, 
too,'  said  the  smoking-cap. 


186 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


" 4  Thaiik  fortune !  I  do  not  require  dusting/ 
warbled  the  canary  bird,  spreading  his  golden 
feathers  in  the  sunlight,  and  flirting  a  seed  at 
the  Hindoo  god  on  the  lid  of  the  tobacco  vase, 
who  only  grinned  a  broader  smile  at  the  atten- 
tion. 

" 4  My  face  is  cracked,'  chimed  in  the  pretty, 
good-natured  clock ;  and  at  this,  the  canary 
bird,  jealous  of  any  sound  save  his  own  voice, 
poured  forth  a  flood  of  music  from  his  tiny 
throat. 

"  4  Hush  ! '  rustled  an  ivy-plant,  that  drooped 
in  graceful  tendrils  about  the  open  window.  4  We 
have  not  received  the  new-comer  politely.' 

44  4  What  new-comer  ?    Oh,  the  Umbrella ! ' 

44  4  Yah,  ze  Umbrella,'  echoed  the  meerschaum, 
speaking  very  broken  English. 

44  So  they  all  welcomed  me  cordially,  to  my 
great  relief;  for  I  was  beginning  to  feel  dread- 
fully shy  and  awkward,  not  being  accustomed 
to  society.  I  endeavored  to  make  myself  agree- 
able, by  describing  to  them  the  incident  of  the 
shower,  at  which  they  all  laughed  heartily. 

44  My  thoughts  frequently  revert  to  the  life  I 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  UMBRELLA. 


187 


lei  in  that  delightful  home,  where  I  was  sur- 
rounded by  so  many  refinements.  Alas  !  it  was 
too  soon  brought  to  a  close.  My  master  made 
a  journey  ;  and,  although  I  had  not  the  least 
idea  of  it,  I  accompanied  him.  I  was  scarcely 
allowed  time  to  look  farewell  at  the  various  in- 
mates of  the  room ;  the  clock  and  canary  chirp- 
ing good-by  in  duet,  and  I  was  gone. 

a  I  next  found  myself  upon  a  large  steamboat. 
Any  thing  more  wretched  than  the  night  we 
passed  there,  I  cannot  imagine.  I  rolled  about 
in  the  most  uncomfortable  fashion,  the  lights 
bobbing  up  and  down,  the  cabin  floor  rocking 
giddily,  and  my  careless  master  took  no  heed  to 
my  safety. 

"  A  tattered,  rusty-looking  man  came  prowling 
along,  then,  stooping  over  me,  adroitly  managed 
to  drop  a  clumsy,  cotton  umbrella,  and  carry  me 
off  instead.  What  must  have  been  my  master's 
disgust,  when  he  discovered  that  horrid,  faded 
thing,  instead  of  my  slim,  genteel  self! 

6  4  There  was  no  help  for  it,  because  an  um- 
brella cannot  raise  any  outcry ;  so  the  thief  took 
possession  of  me  without  struggle. 


188 


THE  CRICKET  S  FRIENDS. 


6 '  We  arrived  in  a  large  city ;  and  I  was  car- 
ried ashore  by  the  rusty  man,  who  made  his  way 
along  many  narrow,  dirty  streets,  to  a  small 
dingy  shop,  which  he  entered.  It  was  a  musty, 
dark  place,  crowded  with  many  strange  articles 
of  sale,  from  mended  furniture,  silver  watches, 
odd  crockery,  and  picture  frames,  to  china  vases, 
and  silk  pocket-handkerchiefs. 

"  Here,  I  was  sold  to  the  owner  of  the  shop, 
a  wrinkled,  old  man,  with  a  white  beard,  who 
placed  me  in  company  with  others  of  my  class 
in  a  rack.  At  first  I  was  too  unhappy  in  my 
altered  circumstances  to  attempt  any  conversa- 
tion with  those  about  me.  The  sun  came  peep- 
ing in  the  dust-stained  window ;  and  each  stray, 
gilded  beam  seemed  a  blessing  in  that  sad, 
gloomy  place.  How  every  thing  brightened  un- 
der the  heavenly,  glorifying  touch  !  The  wreaths 
of  artificial  flowers  took  the  bright  hues  of  life ; 
and  a  gray  parrot,  in  a  battered  cage,  shook  him- 
self to  peer  about  more  cheerfully. 

"  4  How  pleasant  the  sun  is ! '  remarked  the  par- 
rot. 4  If  it  only  would  shine  here  all  day,  as  it 
does  in  my  native  India,  instead  of  creeping  away 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  UMBRELLA.  189 

over  the  roofs  so  soon,  leaving  us  chill  and  dark 
again ! ' 

'^Then  I  inquired,  'You  have  not  lived  here 
always  ? ' 

" 4 1  should  rather  think  not,'  retorted  the  par- 
rot, sharply.  4  Do  you  take  me  for  a  common 
bird,  sir  ?  I  belonged  to  one  of  the  best  families 
at  home  ;  only  it  was  my  misfortune  to  be  caught 
by  a  sailor,  who  brought  me  over  the  seas  to  this 
great  city,  when  he  was  taken  ill,  poor  fellow,  and 
died.  I  heard  him  say  I  was  to  be  a  present  for 
his  sweetheart  up  in  the  country ;  but  I  never 
saw  her,  because  the  lodging-house  woman  sold 
me,  with  the  rest  of  the  sailor's  effects,  to  the 
old  Jew  here.' 

"  4  As  to  that,'  said  a  rosewood  arm-chair,  with 
a  faded  cover,  4 1  once  adorned  a  magnificent 
drawing-room  myself.' 

44  4  And  we,'  sighed  a  wreath  of  artificial  roses, 
4  once  nestled  among  the  curls  of  beauty.' 

44  4  1  was  stolen,'  said  an  alabaster  vase,  stand- 
ing in  graceful  purity  among  the  surrounding 
common  objects. 

44  4  1  was,  also,'  echoed  a  velvet  portmonnaie, 


190  THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 

an  ivory  fan,  and  a  crystal  perfume-bottle,  with 
silver  top. 

"  Then  with  the  parrot  for  conductor,  holding 
a  bit  of  straw  in  his  left  claw,  as  the  leader  of 
an  orchestra  wields  his  baton,  they  all  com- 
menced a  song,  the  words  of  which  were  com- 
posed by  the  ivory  fan,  and  set  to  music  by  the 
parrot. 

'Our  varnish  is  cracked, 
Our  colors  are  worn, 
In  this  den  we  are  packed, 
All  our  glory  is  gone. 
Chorus.    We  have  seen  better  days, 
Tra,  la,  la,  tra,  la,  la.' 

"  The  parrot  was  so  much  affected  by  this  sad 
yet  beautiful  composition,  that  he  shed  tears. 

"  Just  then  the  old  Jew  shopkeeper  came  to 
show  the  bird  to  a  purchaser,  but  the  parrot 
was  most  obstinate.  He  would  not  move  or 
speak,  although  coaxed  and  even  threatened  to 
do  so.    The  customer  turned  away,  saying, — 

" <  What  a  stupid  bird !  he  does  not  speak  a 
word.' 

"  This  touched  our  friend's  pride,  who  cocked 
his  head  over  his  shoulder,  and  replied, — 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  UMBRELLA.  191 

"  '  I  think  the  more.' 

"  The  customer  was  so  much  delighted,  that 
he  at  once  bought  the  parrot,  who  departed  in 
triumph. 

"  *  I  spoke  because  I  thought  I  could  not  do 
worse  than  stay  here,'  he  remarked,  with  a  sage 
nod  of  the  head. 

"  Soon  after,  a  little  beggar-boy  peeped  into 
the  door,  and,  as  I  stood  near  by,  seized  me. 
He  did  not  know  what  to  do  with  me ;  so,  after 
riding  on  me  as  a  hobby  horse  a  while,  he  ex- 
changed me  with  a  larger  boy  for  a  green  apple. 
It  is  said  the  wheel  of  fortune  constantly  re- 
volves ;  and,  if  such  is  the  case,  my  luck  must 
have  been  very  low  just  then.  I  was  knocked 
about  from  one  person  to  another.  Now  it  was  a 
boot-black  owned  me,  now  it  was  a  news-vender, 
or  perhaps  for  a  space  I  belonged  to  a  street 
sweep.  At  last  I  was  taken  from  this  miserable 
existence  in  the  most  curious  way. 

"  I  tumbled  out  of  the  window  in  an  attic 
where  I  had  been  carelessly  left,  and  crashed 
down  upon  the  pavement.  I  was  severely  in- 
jured in  my  whalebone  parts,  yet  my  ivory  han- 


192 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


die  remained  unbroken.  For  a  long  while  I  lay 
unnoticed ;  then  an  old  lady,  carrying  a  shawl 
and  carpet-bag  upon  her  arm,  came  along  to  res- 
cue me.  She  took  me  a  journey  in  the  cars,  and 
at  last  I  saw  the  fresh,  smiling  country  once  more. 

"  The  old  lady  lived  in  a  pretty  cottage,  sur- 
rounded by  a  pleasant  garden,  where  the  tulips 
and  lilies  nodded  in  the  breeze  all  day  long. 
The  old  lady  was  thrifty,  so  she  had  my  ribs 
mended  by  some  village  tinker ;  but  it  was  not 
well  done,  which  accounts  for  the  loss  of  my  fine 
figure. 

"  It  was  a  delightful  home,  —  every  thing  was 
so  neat  about  it;  and  I  should  have  been  con- 
tented to  remain  there  all  my  life,  had  I  been 
consulted. 

"  The  old  lady's  nephew  came  home  from 
school  for  a  holiday ;  and,  after  shocking  our 
nerves  in  that  quiet  spot  a  week,  he  departed 
again,  in  a  rain-storm.  The  good  aunt  insisted 
upon  my  being  made  use  of,  although  the  young 
master  did  not  wish  it  at  all.  When  the  rain 
ceased,  he  carelessly  threw  me  out  by  the  road- 
side,—  then  drove  on  to  his  destination. 


THE  STORY  OF  AN  UMBRELLA.  193 


"I  remained  in  the  ditch  several  days,  all 
»  soaked  and  muddy  as  you  now  see  me.  Finally 
the  peddler,  who  is  stopping  here  to-night,  dis- 
covered me,  while  he  was  driving  his  wagon 
slowly  along,  and  raised  me  from  my  lowly  posi- 
tion. 

"  I  do  not  know  where  I  may  go  next,"  said 
the  Umbrella,  mournfully.  "  We  are  all  born, 
but  we  are  not  all  dead,  you  know." 

"A  new  thought,  certainly,"  remarked  the 
Kettle,  drowsily.  "  Follow  an  umbrella  from 
the  cradle  to  the  grave." 

It  was  now  time  for  the  Wasp  to  distinguish 
himself. 

"  I  can  repeat  something,  in  the  fairy-tale 
style,  which  was  told  me  by  Mother  Carey's 
chicken,  when  we  were  waiting  for  the  nestling 
to  grow  strong  enough  for  us  to  make  our  jour- 
ney.   It  is :  — 


194 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


,N  the  edge  of  the  wood  there  once  lived  a 


poor  woman,  and  her  three  children.  On 
the  opposite  bank  of  the  broad  clear  river  rose 
the  king's  palace  of  marble,  with  a  flag  float- 
ing proudly  from  the  battlements ;  but  the  poor 
woman's  children  never  had  crossed  the  river, 
or  dared  to  venture  into  the  magnificent  gardens 
which  surrounded  the  royal  residence.  Ah,  no  ! 
they  were  too  poor  for  that. 

"  This  made  the  widow's  heart  very  heavy  at 
times,  when  she  watched  the  setting  sun  gild  the 
arched  dome,  and  silken  pennant,  or  make  the  lofty 
windows  flash  in  a  thousand  glittering  sparkles 
of  light,  in  answer  to  his  golden  beams. 

"  1  My  children  are  a?  handsome  and  good  as 
any  that  visit  there,'  she  said  to  herself.  :  Yes, 
even  as  brave  as  the  king's  son  and  daug] iters 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


195 


themselves,  no  doubt ;  yet  I  can  never  earn  enough 
to  give  them  fine  clothes,  so  they  just  have  to 
stay  alone  in  the  woods.  To-morrow  is  the  great 
festival,  when  all  are  at  liberty  to  bring  some 
curiosity,  for  which  they  will  receive  a  prize,  if 
it  prove  the  most  worthy,  from  his  majesty. 
What  have  my  little  ones  to  display  ?  ' 
"  She  called  them  to  her  and  said,  — 
"  4  A  distant  relation  of  your  father's,  who  is  a 
fairy,  was  present  at  your  birth,  my  dears.  Per- 
haps she  may  visit  you  again,  sometime ;  so  if 
any  person  should  call  in  my  absence,  treat 
them  very  politely.  Remember  that  fairies  are 
easily  vexed.' 

"  Soon  after  the  mother  departed  to  the  mill, 
and  the  children  seated  themselves  under  a  large 
tree  to  enjoy  their  breakfast  of  brown  bread  and 
milk. 

"  Across  the  water  the  king's  children,  all 
glistening  in  jewels  and  embroidery,  were  plucking 
fruit  from  the  laden  boughs,  or  tossing  flowers  to. 
one  another  in  fragrant  showers. 

'  What  fun  that  must  be  ! '  exclaimed  the  poor 
woman's  son  Small,  his  little  round  face  dimpled 


196 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


with  laughter.  4  I  should  like  to  marry  the  prin- 
cess in  a  blue  scarf.' 

44 4  She  is  not  so  handsome  as  her  sister  with 
the  red  net  over  her  black  curls,'  said  the  older 
brother,  Perke. 

"  4  For  my  part,  the  young  prince  seems  perfec- 
tion,' added  Elfie. 

"  At  this  they  all  laughed  together,  and  finished 
the  brown  bread.  A  black  hawk  paused  on  out- 
spread wings  in  the  air,  and  dropped  a  large  gold 
ring  from  his  beak,  which  fell  to  the  ground  near 
the  children.  Before  they  could  stoop  to  touch 
it,  from  within  the  circle  sprang  three  tulips, 
rising  on  slender,  enamelled  stalks,  their  gor- 
geous variegated  buds  closed. 

"  4  There  is  one  a-piece,  any  way,'  said  Perke, 
plucking  one. 

6 4  Small  and  Elfie  did  the  same. 

44  4  Let  us  save  them  until  mother  returns,' 
said  the  sister. 

"'It  must  be  a  gift  from  our  godmother,' 
whispered  Small,  wisely. 

44  4  1  shall  see  what  mine  contains,'  said  Perke, 
boldly. 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


197 


"  He  pulled  at  the  folded  leaves,  but  they 
resisted  all  his  endeavors,  and  clung  firmly 
together. 

"  Small  concluded  to  hold  his  bud  under  the 
spring  that  gurgled  into  a  mossy  basin,  yet  it  did 
not  open  for  the  crystal  drops  that  fringed  it  with 
fragrant  dew. 

"  Then  little  Elfie  pressed  her  warm  lips  gently 
upon  the  tulip,  and  like  magic  it  flew  open,  dis- 
closing a  tiny  gold  trumpet. 

"  Her  brothers  then  kissed  their  flowers  as 
well,  and  found  each  to  contain  a  similar  gift. 

"  Within  the  golden  circle  now  sprang  up  still 
another  tulip,  which  opened  of  its  own  accord, 
and  forth  stepped  a  quaint  little  figure.  She 
wore  a  red-peaked  cap,  high-heeled  shoes,  and  a 
tight-laced  bodice.  Her  hair  was  bright  yellow, 
and  the  tip  of  her  sharp  nose  had  a  blue  tinge, 
which  would  have  been  unbecoming  to  any  other 
person  than  a  fairy.  Her  carriage  consisted  of  a 
sweet-pea  blossom,  drawn  by  two  spirited  cock- 
chafers. The  children  could  not  but  admire  the 
skilful  manner  in  which  she  handled  the  ribbons 
and  whip,  made  of  a  spider's  leg,  ornamented 
with  tassels. 


198 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  '  Here  I  am  at  last,  dears,'  said  Madam  Pug, 
briskly.  '  Whoa !  Trot  is  a  most  vicious  bug. 
Be  still,  sir  ! ' 

"  '  Are  you  our  godmother  ? '  asked  Elfie, 
timidly. 

" '  Certainly,'  answered  the  fairy,  putting  on 
her  spectacles,  the  better  to  examine  them. 

"  '  You  have  grown  to  be  nice,  plump  children  ; 
I  hope  no  giant  may  catch  and  eat  you  up.  I  am 
here  to  grant  whatever  you  may  wish,  which 
can  be  obtained  by  blowing  the  request  through 
the  trumpets  to  be  found  in  the  flowers.  Use  the 
power  wisely ;  so  that,  when  I  come  again,  I  may 
find  the  gift  has  proved  a  blessing  instead  of  a 
curse.' 

"  She  then  cracked  her  whip,  hoisted  a  tiny 
umbrella,  which  served  the  purpose  of  a  sail  as 
she  rose  in  the  air,  and  the  cockchafers  spread 
their  wings. 

"  6  It  is  slow  travelling  along  the  rough  earth,' 
she  remarked,  when  she  reached  a  level  with  the 
children's  noses,  '  so  I  will  fly  for  a  time,  espe- 
cially as  important  business  calls  me  to  the  North 
Pole  just  now.' 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


199 


"  The  children  were  left  to  examine  their  trum- 
pets, and  look  at  each  other  in  wonder  at  the 
good  fortune  which  had  befallen  them.  What  do 
you  suppose  they  at  once  did  ? 

"  4  First,  let  us  wish  for  clothes  handsomer  than 
those  of  the  royal  family  across  the  water,'  pro- 
posed Elfie. 

"  They  blew  through  the  trumpets,  and  in- 
stantly their  coarse  garments  were  changed  to 
magnificent  satin  and  velvet,  with  fringes  of 
lace,  pearls,  and  silver  tassels.  They  could 
do  nothing  but  caper  about  in  the  sunshine, 
now  admiring  each  other's  plumed  caps,  now 
comparing  shoes  on  which  sparkled  radiant  jew- 
els, until  the  court  paused  to  watch  their  bright 
forms,  in  amazement;  for,  in  the  distance,  the 
poor  widow's  children  resembled  brilliant  mete- 
ors flashing  about  among  the  trees. 

"  '  Now  let  us  wish  for  a  boat,  to  visit  the  pal- 
ace before  mother  returns,'  cried  Small. 

"  The  next  moment  saw  them  speeding  across 
the  water  in  the  most  beautiful  little  boat  imag- 
inable. It  was  made  of  ivory,  lined  with  a  deli- 
cate pink  shading,  like  the  cavities  of  sea-shells ; 


200 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


and  a  sail  of  pink  silk,  held  by  gold  cords,  ex 
panded  like  a  rose-leaf  to  the  soft  breeze.  The 
court  clapped  their  hands  at  the  wonderful  sight. 

"  All  at  once  the  children  looked  down  at 
themselves :  they  wore  their  rough  clothes 
again,  which  only  seemed  the  uglier  from  con- 
trast with  the  elegant  ship. 

"  '  We  can  never  visit  his  majesty  in  these  rags/ 
said  Elfie.  6  Let  us  wish  for  even  more  splen- 
did dresses  than  those  we  just  had  on  the  bank.' 

"  White  robes  spangled  with  diamond  drops 
enveloped  them ;  but  the  boat  glided  from  be- 
neath their  feet  at  the  same  time,  leaving  them 
to  sink  through  the  water  to  the  very  river  bed. 
This  brought  them  unexpectedly  into  the  pres- 
ence of  the  river  fairy,  a  sworn  enemy  of  their 
godmother,  who  caressed  them,  and  coiled  her 
floating  hair  about  them  in  slender  rings,  which 
served  to  bind  them  captives. 

" '  Stay  with  me  always,'  coaxed  the  river 
spirit,  in  her  sweet  voice ;  '  life  is  so  pleasant 
under  the  cool,  clear  waters  here.' 

" '  I  like  the  sunshine  better,'  said  Small,  rub- 
bing his  eyes  with  two  chubby  little  fists. 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


201 


" '  You  can  bask  on  the  surface,'  laughed  the 
fairy.  4  Come  with  me  to  the  neighboring  ocean 
and  see  all  the  wonderful  forms  one  can  assume.' 

"  She  gathered  them  in  hei*  arms,  and  swept 
down  the  stream  swiftly  until  the  ocean  opened 
broad  gates  of  welcome,  and  she  paused  on  the 
threshold  of  the  great  deep.  She  waved  her 
fair  arms,  and  a  forest  of  sea-weeds,  some  thick- 
stemmed  as  trees,  others  mere  tangles  of  silky 
threads,  rose  before  them.  In  shaded  nooks 
scuttled  crabs,  looking  like  awkward  spiders ; 
marine  worms  twined  about  in  ribbons  of  green 
or  brown ;  and  upon  the  drooping  fronds  clung 
gorgeous  mollusks,  their  variegated  shells  dis- 
playing the  fringed  edge  of  no  less  gorgeous 
mantles. 

" '  If  you  would  rather  swim  about  than  live 
at  the  bottom,  look  at  the  fishes,'  said  the  water 
spirit. 

"  Forthwith  approached  a  finny  host.  The 
whale  cleaved  the  waters  with  his  powerful  tail ; 
the  sword-fish  flashed  swiftly  past,  followed  by 
the  stealthy  white  shark,  who  showed  his  terrible 
teeth.  Then  came  the  graceful  dolphin,  quiver- 
i* 


202 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


ing  in  long  tracts  of  silvery  light,  the  indolent 
porpoise,  the  handsome  salmon,  the  greedy  cod, 
the  pretty  mackerel,  and  a  countless  multitude 
of  beautiful  fish,  their  scales  tinged  with  a  golden 
lustre,  or  dyed  in  crimson  and  purple  tints. 

"  Little  Elfie  clapped  her  hands  when  she 
beheld  some  lovely  medusae  dancing  lightly  along 
on  the  surface,  their  feathery  tentacles  drifting 
idly  on  the  current ;  so  the  fairy  changed  her  to  a 
crystal  globe  of  a  jelly-fish,  propelled  by  several 
tiny  oars,  like  spun  glass,  that  reflected  all  colors 
of  the  rainbow  in  flashing  motion. 

"'0  you  silly  bubble  ! '  exclaimed  Small ;  ' 1 
had  rather  be  a  herring  than  that,'  and  he  imme- 
diately began  to  swim  about  a  pretty  herring. 

" 1  As  to  that,  I  believe  I  should  like  to  try  a 
state  of  lobsterhood,'  said  Perke  ;  and  his  desire 
was  at  once  gratified.  The  thoughtless  children 
had  forgotten  the  importance  of  retaining  their 
magic  trumpets,  in  case  they  should  ever  need 
them  again;  so,  when  they  changed  forms,  the 
godmother's  gifts  were  carelessly  allowed  to  sink 
to  the  bottom,  and  the  water  spirit  laughed  tri- 
umphantly. 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


203 


"  '  Now  I  have  you,  Madam  Pug,'  she  said  to 
herself.  '  Your  pets  are  in  the  sea ;  let  me  see 
you  reclaim  them.' 

"  The  trumpets  lay  on  the  bottom  beside  a 
rock,  where  there  lived  a  colony  of  oysters.  The 
oysters  are  good-natured,  save  when  a  hungry 
star-fisa  pokes  a  ray  into  their  shells  to  scoop 
out  the  delicious-flavored  inmate ;  then  they  are 
very  apt  to  close  the  doors  smartly  with  a  sudden 
clap  that  snips  off  the  intruder's  paw,  leaving  the 
star-fish  to  hobble  away,  and  grow  a  new  one. 
The  grandfather  of  the  colony  had  listened  to  all 
that  transpired  between  the  fairy  and  her  visitors 
with  much  interest ;  and  now  that  the  trumpets 
fell  to  the  bottom,  he  began  to  wonder  how  they 
were  to  be  rescued  from  harm. 

"  Presently  a  cockle  came  skipping  gayly  along 
by  means  of  a  beautiful  scarlet  foot,  protruded 
from  between  the  valves  of  the  shell  for  the  pur- 
pose of  locomotion ;  and  the  grandfather  oyster 
hailed  him  for  a  chat. 

"  '  If  you  would  only  push  the  trumpets  nearer 
we  might  swallow  them,'  urged  the  former,  when 
he  had  explained  matters. 


204 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


" '  Wait  a  bit,'  said  the  cockle,  <  until  I  fetch 
a  few  of  my  brothers,  who  are  prowling  about 
here  somewhere.' 

"  He  darted  off,  and  soon  returned  with  the 
requisite  assistance.  So  the  cockles  nimbly  pushed 
and  rolled  the  trumpets  close  to  the  oysters. 

"  '  Can  you  accommodate  the  others,  my  sons  ? 1 
inquired  the  grandfather  of  two  no  less  plump 
children. 

"  4  It  will  be  inconvenient ;  still '  —  here  the 
little  waves  gathered  in  a  sparkling  heap,  and 
swept  the  trumpets  into  the  oysters'  mouths ; 
who,  with  a  gulp  or  two,  succeeded  in  swallow- 
ing them.  None  too  soon  was  all  this  labor 
accomplished. 

"  The  fairy  amused  herself  watching  the  chil- 
dren for  a  while,  and  then  she  despatched  some 
of  her  attendants  to  search  for  Madam  Pug's  gifts. 
A  rare  search  they  made  of  it,  too.  The  tiny  cour- 
tiers, clothed  in  rainbow  frills  and  scales,  poked 
about  everywhere,  peering  into  the  anemones' 
mouths,  which  made  the  sea-flowers  very  angry, 
as  they  were  not  used  to  such  liberties  ;  tumbling 
the  crabs  about,  and  pushing  the  lazy  flat-fish 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


205 


into  motion.  They  even  knocked  on  the  oysters' 
houses  with  their  little  knuckles  ;  but  the  oysters 
said  never  a  word,  so  they  were  obliged  to  relin- 
quish the  search,  and  return  to  their  queen. 

"  Elfie  and  her  brother  splashed  about,'  think- 
ing it  great  fun  to  live  in  the  sea.  One  day 
they  altered  their  minds ;  and  this  is  how  it  all 
happened :  — 

"  Perke,  the  lobster,  became  very  hungry  (lob- 
sters are  generally  hungry)  ;  and  he  sniffed  about 
in  search  of  food,  until  he  smelt  a  most  savory 
odor,  which  proceeded  from  a  wicker  sort  of 
cage,  that  bobbed  up  and  down  in  the  most 
tempting  manner.  Had  Perke  been  born  a  lob- 
ster, his  mother  would  probably  have  taught  him 
wisdom.  Not  knowing  any  better,  he  now  swam 
about  until  he  discovered  a  neat  tunnel  just 
large  enough  to  admit  him,  and  leading  straight 
to  the  meat  he  coveted.  In  he  slipped  for  a 
nibble  ;  but,  having  entered,  he  found  to  his 
sorrow  he  could  not  get  out  again ;  so  there  he 
sat,  looking  out  through  the  slats,  as  miserable 
an  object  as  one  would  wish  to  behold,  when 
Small  came  darting  by. 


206 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


"  4  Oh  !  why  did  we  ever  leave  home  ? '  groaned 
Perke. 

"  4  Hulloa  ! '  exclaimed  his  brother,  pausing.' 
i  How  did  you  get  there  ? ' 

"  CI  am  caught  in  a  trap,'  cried  Perke.  'When 
the  fisherman  hauls  me  up,  I  shall  be  boiled 
alive  and  eaten.' 

"  Small  flashed  up  to  the  surface,  where  Elfie 
was  sporting  with  her  companions,  and  said, 
dryly,— 

"  4  It  is  all  very  pleasant  for  you ;  but,  in  the 
mean  while,  Perke  is  a  captive  down  yonder.' 

"  4  I  am  so  sorry,'  said  Elfie.  4  How  can  we 
free  him  ? ' 

44  The  tender-hearted  sister  began  to  cry  ;  and 
the  other  jelly-fish,  who  were  tender-hearted  also, 
began  to  cry  from  sheer  sympathy. 

44  4  I  will  go  to  the  fairy,  and  beg  her  to  change 
them,'  sobbed  Elfie. 

44  4  It  will  do  no  good,'  sobbed  the  jelly-fish 
chorus,  in  reply ;  4  she  is  so  cruel.' 

44  Tears  made  Small,  the  mackerel,  nervous,  as 
they  would  have  done  Small,  the  boy.  He  deter- 
mined to  find  the  trumpets,  which  could  alone 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


207 


relieve  them  from  the  present  trouble ;  and, 
accordingly,  dived  to  the  bottom,  where,  of 
course,  he  did  not  find  them. 

"  At  last  the  oysters  took  compassion  upon 
his  sorrow,  —  for  he  feared  Perke  might  be  taken 
at  any  moment  by  the  fishermen,  —  and  opened 
their  shells,  when  out  rolled  the  trumpets. 

"  Small  did  not  recognize  them :  they  were 
covered  by  a  coating  of  mother -o'- pearl.  When 
it  was  explained,  he  was  overjoyed  at  his  good 
fortune  in  recovering  them  at  all.  He  also 
thanked  the  oysters  warmly  for  their  kind- 
ness. 

"  '  We  have  not  eaten  any  thing ;  we  were 
afraid  to  open  our  mouths,'  said  the  grand- 
father. 4  Still  a  fast,  now  and  then,  does  one 
no  harm.' 

"  In  less  time  than  it  takes  to  write  the  fact, 
Small  had  taken  one  trumpet  in  his  mouth,  and 
rejoined  Perke,  who  eagerly  seized  it,  in  one 
claw,  through  the  bars  of  his  cage. 

"  e  Wait  five  minutes  for  Elfie  and  I,  then 
wish  yourself  out  of  the  water,'  advised  the 
zealous  little  brother,  hastening  back  for  his 


208 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


sister's  trumpet,  which  he  presented  in  the  same 
way. 

"  Simultaneously  the  children  wished  them- 
selves out  of  the  water.  The  desire  was  grati- 
fied certainly,  for  they  were  suspended  between 
heaven  and  earth,  held  by  some  invisible  chain, 
the  links  of  which  bound  them  firmly ;  yet  they 
felt  a  terrible  fear  of  being  dashed  headlong  on 
the  sharp-pointed  rocks  below.  There  they 
swayed  about,  the  sun  laughing  at  them,  the 
winds  tossing  them  on  every  breath,  and  the 
birds  swooping  in  giddy  circles  over  their  heads. 

"  '  Let  us  wish  for  land,'  said  Elfie. 

"  They  closed  their  eyes,  blew  through  the 
trumpets,  and  then  their  feet  rested  on  a  firm 
surface  once  more. 

"  6  Oh,  I  am  so  glad ! '  laughed  Elfie. 

"  Yes,  they  had  land  ;  but  such  a  land !  Not 
a  tree  ;  not  a  spring  of  fresh,  cool  water ;  not  a 
blade  of  green  grass  ;  only  a  barren  wilderness,  a 
dreary  waste.  The  children  toiled  along  wearily, 
yet  they  seemed  to  make  no  progress  towards  a 
fairer  landscape  ;  for  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
see  stretched  the  blank  of  earth. 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


209 


"  6  What  shall  we  do  next  ? '  asked  Perke,  in 
perplexity. 

"  <  Let  us  go  home.  Mother  will  advise  usr' 
said  Small ;  and,  with  the  aid  of  Madam  Pug's 
gifts,  they  again  stood  at  the  door  of  their 
humble  cottage,  which  had  never  looked  so 
pleasant  to  them  before.  Their  mother  was  not 
in  the  house ;  but  they  saw  her  coming  along  the 
road,  bending  under  the  weight  of  the  meal-bag, 
from  the  mill. 

"  They  had  not  been  absent  a  day,  and  so 
much  had  happened  !  The  two  little  sons  ran  to 
her  assistance,  bearing  between  them  the  bag  of 
meal ;  and,  as  they  did  so,  Small  inserted  his 
trumpet  into  a  fold  of  it,  whispering,  — 

" i  I  wish  this  meal  might  be  changed  into  a 
feast  for  my  poor  mother.' 

"  When  they  entered  the  door,  Perke  wished, 
'  Let  us  have  a  fine  large  table,  if  you  please.' 

"  The  mother  looked  at  him  in  surprise ;  and 

then  she  saw  that  something  unusual  had  occurred 

during  her  absence,  for  a  spacious  table  of  polished 

rosewood  occupied  the  centre  of  the  room. 

"  '  I  should  like  an  arm-chair,'  said  Elfie  ;  and 
14 


210 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


when  it  appeared,  they  seated  the  astonished 
mother  in  it,  suffering  her  tired  frame  to  enjoy 
luxury  and  ease. 

"  Next,  they  emptied  the  meal-bag  of  its  con- 
tents, and  Small's  bright  eyes  danced  with  delight 
at  the  fulfilment  of  his  wish.  Such  savory  viands  ! 
such  puffs  and  tarts  of  delicate  pastry !  such  deli- 
cious fruits  and  sweet-perfumed  flower  garlands ! 
such  tempting  nuts,  and  many-colored  candies 
in  all  manner  of  fantastic  shapes, — pink  horses, 
lemon  castles,  green  birds,  and  blue  ships, — had 
never  before  been  seen  in  the  widow's  cottage. 
She  did  not  forget  those  who  were  poor ;  so,  reserv- 
ing some  of  the  choice  articles  of  the  feast,  the 
mother  sent  her  children  to  many  neighbors,  who 
would  have  otherwise  gone  to  bed  supperless. 

"  When  all  this  was  done,  the  children  gave  a 
long  history  of  their  adventures  beneath  the 
waters.  The  mother  uttered  a  prayer  of  grati- 
tude for  their  safe  return ;  then  she  said,  — 

" '  Your  godmother  wished  to  test  your  charac- 
ter. One  desire  brings  another  always.  "Vanity 
caused  all  your  troubles ;  you  wished  to  be  as 
handsome  as  the  king's  children,  and  the  boat 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


211 


vanished,  as  you  have  described.  Give  me  the 
trumpets,  and  learn  to  be  happy  without  them.' 

"  They  did  as  she  desired,  only,  first,  Elfie 
begged  to  have  one  more  wish  gratified.  What  do 
you  suppose  it  was  ?  Why,  that  night  the  mother 
slept  in  a  soft  bed  of  eider  down,  with  satin  cur- 
tains, and  an  embroidered  coverlet  fit  for  a 
duchess,  while  the  children  sought  their  pallets 
of  straw,  light-hearted  and  happy,  thinking  how 
comfortable  she  was. 

"  All  this  pleased  Madam  Pug,  who  had  heard 
of  it  from  her  trusty  allies  the  gnats ;  and  she 
now  came  flying  along  in  the  moonlight,  mounted 
on  a  moth.  She  crept  through  the  keyhole 
leaving  her  moth  outside ;  and  the  water  spirit 
changed  herself  into  an  ugly  gray  bat  for  the 
purpose  of  devouring  Madam  Pug's  horse :  so 
that  she  had  to  sit  on  the  chimney  all  night,  after 
paying  the  visit,  until  one  of  the  gnats  had  flown 
away  for  another  moth.  This  made  the  water 
spirit,  down  under  the  waves,  laugh. 

"  Having  entered  the  cottage,  Madam  Pug 
squeezed  a  drop  of  some  precious  balsam  out  of 
a  diminutive  flask  upon  the  eyelids  of  her 


212 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


slumbering  godchildren,  which  served  to  make 
their  dreams  pleasant,  and  would  prepare  them 
for  any  disappointment  the  next  day.  She  next 
looked  about  to  see  what  was  to  be  done  afterward, 
and  espied  the  trumpets  on  the  shelf,  where  the 
careful  mother  had  placed  them.  These  the  fairy 
changed  to  three  little  boxes,  one  of  a  rusty  steel, 
another  of  lead,  and  the  third  of  iron  ;  then,  pla- 
cing them  on  the  children's  pillows,  crept  out  by 
the  keyhole  to  perch  on  the  chimney,  as  I  have 
said,  to  await  the  arrival  of  another  moth- 
charger. 

"  Next  morning  Elfie  and  her  brothers  peeped 
into  the  boxes,  and  found  each  to  contain  a  small 
cake.    On  the  cakes  were  baked  these  words  :  — 

FOR  THE  KING'S  FESTIVAL. 

The  godmother  gave  them  no  donation  of  hand- 
some clothes  this  time ;  so  the  mother,  after 
dressing  them  fresh  and  clean,  sent  them  away 
on  the  journey.  Elfie  plucked  a  few  wild  roses 
on  the  way,  which  Perke  twined  among  her  curls 
for  a  head-dress. 

"  They  were  ferried  across  the  river  in  a  royal 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


213 


barge,  with  other  guests,  and  then  found  them- 
selves before  the  gates  of  the  king's  palace.  A 
vast  crowd  of  people  thronged  the  way,  bringing 
rare  gifts ;  and  all  were  finely  robed,  except  the 
poor  widow's  children.  The  soldiers  presented 
the  glittering  points  of  their  lances,  asking 
rudely,  — 

"  *  What  do  you  bring  V 

"  <  Curiosities  to  show  the  king,'  replied  Small, 
bravely. 

" i  What  if  there  should  be  nothing  in  the 
cakes,  after  all,'  remarked  Perke. 

"  4  Let  us  open  them  and  see,'  proposed  Elfie. 

"  '  No,'  said  Perke.  4  Wait  until  we  are  in  the 
presence  of  the  court.' 

"  The  palace  now  rose  before  them,  and  was 
even  more  splendid  than  they  had  supposed. 
Entering  an  archway,  the  children  paused  in  a 
spacious  apartment,  the  dome  of  which  was  sup- 
ported on  marble  pillars,  wrought  with  flowers. 
The  king  occupied  a  throne  of  mosaic-work,  un- 
der a  canopy  of  crimson  velvet.  He  wore  a  stiff 
mantle  of  some  rich  material,  had  a  long,  yellow 
beard,  and  such  fierce  eyes,  that  little  Elfie  trem- 


214 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


bled  when  he  looked  at  her.  Perke  and  Small 
said  they  did  not  mind  it  much. 

"First,  there  approached  an  old  woman,  black 
as  ebony,  with  a  gorgeous  yellow  turban  on  her 
head,  a  broad  purple  sash  about  her  waist,  and 
red  slippers  on  her  feet.  She  was  a  very  gay  old 
African  lady  indeed.  In  her  hand  she  carried  a 
shrine  of  beautiful,  fragrant  wood ;  and  from  it 
she  took  an  idol  of  pure  amber,  carved  with  mar- 
vellous skill. 

"  Next,  came  an  old  man,  with  bent  form  and 
silver  hair,  who  drew  a  case  from  his  girdle, 
and  displayed,  to  the  delight  of  the  whole  court, 
a  ruby  the  size  of  a  hen's  egg  of  so  brilliant  a 
color  that  it  filled  the  palace  with  a  soft,  rosy 
glow. 

"  Upon  this,  a  young  man  hastened  forward  to 
hold  up  before  the  throne  a  diamond  chain  of 
rare  purity,  that  absorbed  the  lustre  of  the  ruby's 
splendor,  and  twinkled  like  pendent  dew-drops. 

"  Others  brought  precious  stones  also,  sapphires, 
amethysts,  and  emeralds,  until  it  would  seem  as 
though  the  world  had  been  sifted  for  the  costli- 
est gems.    Then  there  were  urns  of  pungent 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


215 


spices,  censers  of  incense,  keen-tempered  weap- 
ons, cloth-of-gold,  heavy  damask,  and  specimens 
of  lace. 

"  What  seemed  to  Small  the  most  wonderful 
thing,  was  a  scroll  of  tapestry  upon  which  ap- 
peared moving  figures,  weaving  into  fantastic 
forms.  Whatever  the  king  desired  to  see  re- 
hearsed, was  there  depicted. 

"  Afterward  approached  a  fair  lady,  wearing 
a  green  gauze  mantle,  from  which  dripped  little 
rills  of  water  with  a  musical  splash,  and  wher- 
ever they  fell  upon  the  pavement  there  formed 
pearls.  She  displayed  a  snake  that  twined  his 
enamelled  body  about  in  graceful  coils,  at  her 
bidding,  and  even  licked  the  king's  foot,  —  an 
act  of  homage  which  made  his  majesty  rather 
nervous.  The  children  recognized  their  enemy, 
the  water  spirit. 

"  It  now  came  their  turn,  and  they  advanced, 
the  water  spirit  smiling  maliciously  all  the  time. 
When  they  opened  the  boxes,  each  cake  said,  in 
a  smothered  little  voice, — 

"  6  Break  me  ! ' 

"  This  they  did,  when  lo !  out  of  Elfie's  stepped 


216 


THE  CRICKET'S  FRIENDS. 


a  goat,  wearing  a  broad  gold  collar,  and  holding  a 
tambourine.  He  walked  up  to  the  throne  on  his 
hind  legs,  and  made  a  very  profound  bow.  At 
this  everybody  laughed ;  but  what  was  their  as- 
tonishment to  behold  a  quaint  monkey  emerge 
from  Small's  box,  with  a  smart  cravat  on,  and 
carrying  a  cocked  hat  under  one  paw.  The  mon- 
key, instead  of  following  the  goat's  ceremonious 
example,  leaped  upon  Small's  shoulder,  put  on 
his  hat,  and  winked  at  the  king  in  so  droll  a 
manner  as  to  entirely  disarm  any  wrath  at  his 
impertinence. 

"As  for  Perke,  a  bird  was  already  perched 
upon  his  finger,  whose  plumage  resembled  spun 
gold,  relieved  by  an  emerald  green  crest,  and 
patch  upon  the  breast. 

"  6  What  can  your  animals  do  to  amuse  me  ? ' 
inquired  the  king. 

" '  If  it  please  your  highness,'  said  the  goat, 
'  the  bird  will  sing  while  we  dance.' 

"  The  king  assenting,  the  bird  began  to  sing 
a  lively  air ;  and  the  other  two  executed  a  qua- 
drille in  excellent  style,  the  goat  gracefully  tap- 
ping his  tambourine  with  one  hoof  to  the  music. 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS. 


217 


Nor  was  this  the  full  extent  of  their  accomplish- 
ments ;  for  the  three  then  performed  a  tragedy, 
in  which  the  bird  was  a  stern  father,  the  goat 
his  daughter,  and  the  monkey,  who  was  naturally 
the  best  actor,  took  several  parts,  with  admirable 
skill. 

"  All  this  would  have  been  very  amusing,  only 
that  the  proud  king  could  not  forget  that  the 
children  belonged  only  to  a  poor  widow  after  all. 
Perhaps  they  might  have  received  some  prize,  as 
a  token  of  royal  favor,  had  not  the  water  spir- 
it's snake  darted  forward,  hissing  spitefully,  and 
twined  about  them. 

"  The  monkey  seized  the  monster  by  the  throat 
with  his  little  black  paws,  the  bird  pecked  at  its 
eyes,  and  the  goat  rapped  the  tambourine  over 
its  head  with  a  right  good-will. 

"Thus  defended,  the  children  escaped  from 
the  palace  safely,  still  accompanied  by  their  fa- 
vorites. 

"'Dear  children,'  said  the  bird,  as  they  ap- 
proached home  once  more,  4  do  not  be  disap- 
pointed that  the  king  has  treated  you  with  no 
more  kindness.    Madam  Pug  allows  us  to  re- 
j 


• 

218  the  cricket's  friends. 


main  with  you  so  long  as  you  are  good,  and  find 
happiness  in  the  home  God  has  given  you.' 

" '  We  can  have  a  great  deal  more  fun  here 
than  with  those  stupid  people  in  the  palace  yon- 
der,' added  the  monkey,  cutting  a  caper.  4  The 
goat  and  I  can  dance  all  day  for  your  amuse- 
ment.' 

"'As  to  that,'  said  the  goat,  stroking  his 
beard  gravely,  '  we  might  do  something  more 
profitable.' 

"  These  were  the  godmother's  gifts  after  all, 
which,  in  course  of  time,  became  famous  through- 
out the  country.  If  any  thing  was  stolen,  the 
monkey  could  detect  the  thief  at  once.  If  any 
debate  arose  among  the  wise  men,  the  goat  could 
settle  the  argument  to  their  satisfaction,  for  he 
was  classically  educated.  If  any  person  was  ill, 
the  bird  could  prescribe  for  them,  as  he  was 
skilled  in  the  knowledge  of  medicine. 

"  The  king  could  never  obtain  these  three  with 
all  the  wealth  in  the  world." 

The  Wasp  went  his  way  again,  the  Caterpillar 
and  Spider  did  the  same,  leaving  the  others  alone 
as  before. 


THE  GODMOTHER'S  GIFTS.  219 


The  Saucepan's  day  was  over,  and  the  Teapot 
was  so  badly  cracked  as  to  be  unfit  for  use. 

One  day,  as  the  Kettle  was  swinging  lazily  on 
the  hook  in  the  chimney,  a  lovely  butterfly,  with 
wings  like  shaded  brown  velvet,  poised  on  a  rose- 
spray  outside  the  window.  It  was  the  Caterpillar 
transformed ! 

The  Kettle  called  to  the  Cricket,  but  he  did 
not  find  his  crutch  in  time  to  hobble  out  (for 
he  was  growing  infirm)  before  the  butterfly  had 
flitted  out  into  the  sunshine  again. 


THE  END. 


